Ben Stokes' sudden retirement from One Day International (ODI) cricket in 2022 sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, prompting strong reactions and raising concerns about the future of the format. Among those taken aback was former Indian coach Ravi Shastri, who, upon hearing the news, reportedly paused and exclaimed, "What, did I hear you correctly?".
Stokes, a pivotal figure in England's 2019 World Cup victory, cited the "unsustainable" nature of playing all three formats of the game – Test, ODI, and T20 – as the primary reason for his decision. The grueling schedules and immense workload were simply taking too much of a toll on his body. At only 31 years old, Stokes' retirement from ODIs served as a stark warning about the pressures faced by modern cricketers and the potential consequences for the sport.
Shastri, like many others, acknowledged the validity of Stokes' concerns. He pointed to the increasing number of matches and the rise of franchise cricket as contributing factors to the players' burden. Shastri has been a vocal advocate for reducing the number of T20 bilateral series, suggesting that franchise cricket should be encouraged instead. He believes that lessening the load from bilateral series would allow players to better manage their workload and ensure their availability and enthusiasm for major international tournaments like the World Cups.
Furthermore, Shastri has also suggested a two-tier Test setup to save the longest format from extinction. "I think two tiers are needed, otherwise Test cricket will die in 10 years time. You need six teams at the top, and then six teams in the second and then you qualify. And those top six play against each other more often because of the corridor you open up by having less bilateral T20 cricket and just franchise cricket. That's the way all formats of the game can survive," he explained.
Echoing similar sentiments, other prominent figures in the cricket community have voiced their concerns. Former England captain Nasser Hussain described the situation as "madness for players" and warned that cricketers might eventually "just say I'm done" if the ICC and individual boards continue to cram the schedule with more and more events. Michael Vaughan suggested that bilateral ODI/T20 series might have to be sacrificed to accommodate the growing number of franchise tournaments.
The future of ODI cricket itself has come under scrutiny following Stokes's retirement. Some, like Wasim Akram, have gone as far as calling for the format to be scrapped altogether, deeming it a "drag" compared to the fast-paced excitement of T20 cricket. Others, including Shahid Afridi and Ravi Shastri, have proposed shortening the length of ODI matches to make them more entertaining. Shastri suggested reducing the number of overs from 50 to 40, arguing that the format has remained unchanged for too long and needs to evolve to maintain its relevance.
Shastri also speculated that other players might follow Stokes' lead and choose to retire from certain formats to prolong their careers. He specifically mentioned Hardik Pandya as a potential candidate, suggesting that the Indian all-rounder might step away from ODIs after the 2023 World Cup to focus on T20s and Test cricket. Shastri said that Pandya is very clear in his mind that he does not want to play anything else but T20 cricket.
Ben Stokes' decision to retire from ODI cricket served as a wake-up call for cricket administrators and fans alike. It highlighted the unsustainable demands placed on modern cricketers and sparked a crucial debate about the future of the sport, particularly the ODI format. While the path forward remains uncertain, it is clear that significant changes are needed to ensure the long-term health and viability of all three formats of the game.
