India's Coach Rahul Dravid Optimistic About ODI Cricket's Future

Rahul Dravid, the head coach of the Indian cricket team, has expressed his support for the 50-over format of the game, which he believes still has a lot of relevance and value in the modern era. Dravid, who was one of the most prolific ODI batsmen of his generation, spoke to the media.

Dravid said that he was aware of the declining popularity of ODIs among fans and players, especially with the rise of T20 cricket and the proliferation of franchise leagues around the world. He noted that the number of ODIs played by full members had reduced significantly in the last four years compared to the previous World Cup cycle. He also acknowledged that India had not played as many ODIs as they used to and had sometimes fielded second-string teams or split squads due to scheduling conflicts and other priorities.

However, Dravid argued that ODIs still had a lot to offer to the game and hoped that they would not be neglected or discarded in the future. He said that ODIs provided a unique challenge and opportunity for players to showcase their skills, temperament, and adaptability over a longer duration than T20s. He also said that ODIs had a rich history and tradition and had produced some of the most memorable moments and performances in cricket.

“I think ODIs are a very important format for cricket. They have been around for a long time, and they have given us some great matches and players over the years. I think ODIs still have a lot of nuance and depth in them, and they test the players in different ways than T20s do. I hope that ODIs will continue to be played and valued by everyone involved in cricket,” Dravid said.
Dravid said

Dravid added that he was looking forward to the World Cup as an opportunity to revive the interest and excitement around ODIs and hoped that his team would perform well and make the country proud. He said that India had a balanced and experienced squad and was confident of their chances in the tournament.