‘Lagta hai ajj chadhaya nahi’ – Fans react to Ravi Shastri’s ‘Cricket is going Football’s way’ comment

The ODI format, in particular, will be harmed by the proliferation of T20 leagues, according to former India coach Ravi Shastri, as the teams are more likely to offer players long-term contracts. Shastri claimed that cricket is gradually following football’s lead and that players would only be interested in competing in international competitions.

“I have always said that the bilateral cricket will suffer; there is no question about that. With the leagues spreading around the world, it’s going to go the football way,” Shastri was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.

’50-over cricket will suffer’ – Ravi Shastri

“The teams will assemble just before the World Cup, they play a little bit of bilateral, clubs will release the players, and you play the mega World Cup. So it’s going to go that way in the long run whether you like it or not. I don’t feel bad at all,” said the former India all-rounder, adding: “One of the faculties of the game will suffer. I think it will be 50-over cricket.”

Many international cricketers are already following a trend and choosing their club over their country. Shastri said that he won’t be shocked to see the pattern continue in the future. “Look at the volume of people in this country, we are 1.4 billion, and only 11 can play for India,” Shastri said.

“What will the others do? They have an opportunity to play white-ball cricket; it’s their strength, globally, across different franchises in the world. Grab that opportunity. It’s common sense; it’s their living. It’s their income. Nobody will be able to deprive them of this. They (players) are not contracted by Indian Cricket Board. What stops them going? Nothing like getting exposure. How much do they want to protect their own league (IPL)? You’ve got to see where they come from, and rightly so. This is our league, and to protect this league is paramount as far as our interest goes. But by letting certain players go, it’s not going to affect the league in any way,” he concluded.

Here’s how fans reacted:

Tri series or quad series will make things interesting

— Hyped for Leo (@1Thalaphathy) May 5, 2023

League cricket and icc tournaments are the way forward

— Adi ✨ (@Adi_Tells) May 5, 2023

Epl is arguably is the highest calibre of football leagues yet it never benefits eng
The league hype up players and then eng gets knocked out of intl tournaments during qf,sf stage

— Bruh (@iamBruh18) May 5, 2023

https://twitter.com/iamVcholi/status/1654424042257149952

https://twitter.com/naveenyashcult/status/1654425189180923906

Things should be done to revive cricket
1.Bilateral t20s should be not played only leagues should be played
2.LOIs should be played in 20 overs format with 1st and 2nd innings
3.Test cricket should be played in neutral area more

— Haniel Peter (@peter_haniel) May 5, 2023

Shame on BCCI for not organising tri series

— Rakesh  (@_Melbourne_82) May 5, 2023

Going the football way
Earning like the football way pic.twitter.com/a9obtkYSuK

— Cinefile GPT (@sterns_haschen) May 5, 2023