Former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes that T20 cricket has firmly established itself as a format that will shape the future of the sport.
The veteran cricketer expressed concerns about the future of One Day Internationals (ODIs).
During a media interaction following the European T20 Premier League (ETPL) 2026 player draft, Ashwin, who is also the captain and mentor of the Dublin Guardians, stated that the shorter duration of T20 makes it an ideal vehicle for the global expansion of cricket and its potential return to the Olympic Games.
When asked whether emerging nations should focus solely on T20 for cricket development or also pay equal attention to other formats, Ashwin emphasized the importance of players mastering the art of adapting to different conditions, regardless of the format they play.
In his post-draft media session, Ashwin remarked, “I believe cricket should be learned in a way that you improve every day. You must be able to maintain balance.”
He cited India’s recent T20 series against Ireland as an example of how external conditions can significantly impact the shortest format. Players must continuously evolve.
The experienced spinner believes that T20 is the most practical and effective format for expanding cricket into new markets. “Our job is to find ways to enhance T20 cricket and make it a global sport and part of the Olympics. The shorter the format, the more beneficial it will be,” he stated.
Ashwin noted that the format’s accessibility and opportunities provided by franchise leagues worldwide will promote its growth and bring a larger pool of players into high-level competition.
While he is confident about the future of T20 cricket, Ashwin expressed uncertainty regarding the future of ODIs.