Has the ICC done the right thing by scrapping off the Champions Trophy?

As the Champions Trophy gets underway, one reminds himself that this is the last time the top 8 teams are competing in this tournament. With the ICC bringing down the curtains to one of its most successful tournaments in order to accommodate the still hypothetical World Test Championship, the question remains whether it has been a wise decision in the wake of growing indifference to the 50 over format of the game.

The future of One Day Internationals has been widely debated across the world. The shortest format of the game is exponentially gaining popularity among the new generation while Test cricket continues to remain the real purest gold in the sport. Strangled awkwardly in between lies the ODI format that seems to have become a noose around the neck for cricket-watchers in today’s IPL-crazy world. While worshippers of the sport may argue in favor of ODIs, it must be taken into account here that the ICC has to deal with a huge number of cricket-watchers in comparison to a relatively tiny crop of cricket-lovers.

Having formatted in the same mould as the ICC World Cup, the Champions Trophy appears nothing but meaningless to a large section of critics. Players like Graeme Smith and Matthew Hayden have spoken in favor of scrapping the tournament that offers no variety to the game. While the knockout format had its cons, the recent format of the Champions Trophy looks like a miniature version of the World Cup itself, with two groups, only far lesser in significance.

The proliferation of such pointless tournaments not only adds to the already hectic schedule of the cricketers but also provides an ideal opportunity for corruption to enter sports. With nobody really caring about the results much, it makes it a tad easier for bookies to target players for spot-fixing. As the Champions Trophy mainly provides a platform for the trial and testing of youngsters before the World Cup, one wonders how difficult it is to place illegal bets. With the IPL controversy still fresh in mind, the last thing that cricket wants now is another scandal.

Given the timing of the tournament, the Champions Trophy fails to generate enthusiasm outside the subcontinent. While England and Australia are firmly motivated for the Ashes, New Zealand has just ended a grueling series against the British. So much cricket in so less time not only saps the energy of the cricketers but also doubles the risk of injuries. It is not surprising, therefore, to hear of Australia’s decision to rest some of its best players in the build up to the Ashes. With depleted teams battling it out, one doubts the quality of cricket inside the 22 yards.

It is relevant to mention in this context that the Champions Trophy was actually the brainchild of Jagmohan Dalmiya, with the intention of globalizing the sport. With the last four editions being hosted by Sri Lanka, England, India and South Africa, and the format reduced to only the top eight teams, the question that looms is how much of globalization does that mean? In addition, it’s the T20 format that’s catching on in the new market and it is by far the sole means for the ICC to extend the perimeters of the sport (if it is really bothered, that is). With the 50 over format already counting its last days in the Test playing nations themselves, one is forced to question the wisdom behind advocating it in emerging cricket markets!

The verdict is that the ICC, this time, has stumbled upon one of those rare instances when it has made the right call. However, by pulling the curtains over a multi national tournament like the Champions Trophy, one suspects whether the ICC has actually accelerated the demise of the One Day format. After all, none is actually inclined towards a seven match bilateral ODI series!