Bridgetown (Barbados), Jun 29 : A recent player survey conducted by the World Cricketers Association (WCA) reveals a significant shift in preferences, with the T20 World Cup closing the gap on the traditional dominance of the ODI World Cup as the most important International Cricket Council (ICC) event.
In 2019, an overwhelming 85% of players viewed the 50-over World Cup as the most important ICC event, compared to only 15% favoring the T20 World Cup. However, by 2024, these figures have changed dramatically, with 50% of players considering the ODI showpiece as the most important and 35% favoring the T20 equivalent.
The survey also highlights a growing preference for the T20 format among younger players under 26. In 2024, 41% of this demographic prefer the T20 World Cup, closing in on the 49% who still prioritize the 50-over format.
Overall, there has been a sharp increase in the popularity of the T20 format. Compared to 2019 when 82% of players picked Test cricket as the most important format, only 48% hold that view in 2024, while 30% now consider T20 as the most crucial format.
The ongoing T20 World Cup, jointly hosted by the USA and West Indies, will conclude with the highly anticipated final between India and South Africa in Barbados on Saturday. The much-awaited clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan in the tournament garnered a staggering 256 million viewing hours in India alone.
The survey, which involved around 330 professional players from 13 different countries, primarily current internationals, highlights the growing preference for the T20 format across the cricketing world.
Tom Moffat, the WCA’s chief executive, emphasizes the need for a collaborative approach to address the challenges presented by the rapid evolution of the game, particularly around structured scheduling and player-centric regulations .
T20 World Cup Poised to Surpass ODI World Cup as Cricket’s Premier Event, Player Survey Finds
