"I would say tri-nation series is a fantastic thing" - Aakash Chopra says bilateral series are not that enjoyable amid IND vs BAN 2024 T20Is
Aakash Chopra wants the tri-nation T20I and ODI series to be played instead of bilaterals. He pointed out that at times, bilateral series are not competitive, and might not give the desired returns to the broadcasters.
India are currently playing a three-match T20I series against Bangladesh. The Men in Blue will face the Bangla Tigers in the second game in Delhi on Wednesday, October 9, after trouncing them by seven wickets with 8.1 overs to spare in the first game in Gwalior three days ago.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra replied in the affirmative when asked whether tri-nation series should be played due to a lack of interest in bilaterals.
"You are not challenged enough in bilaterals at times. Let's be honest, whichever team comes to India plays ordinary cricket. So can tri-nation or quadrangular series be brought back? There is no existential crisis at the moment because the broadcasters are giving money and you are playing," he said (4:40).
"However, a day will come when the broadcaster will also raise their hands and say they are not getting the returns for their bucks, that they are paying but not gaining that much since the matches are not competitive as your team wins in 10 overs even if your main players don't play. So what can be changed? I would say tri-nation series is a fantastic thing," the cricketer-turned-commentator added.
Chopra opined that a tri-series between India, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan would be more riveting than bilaterals. He noted that Afghanistan-Bangladesh matches would be interesting, Afghanistan might push India, and Bangladesh might also push someday, making it an exciting three-way contest.
"Let's start making room for each other and go back towards tri-nation" - Aakash Chopra
![Proliferating leagues like the IPL are a threat to international cricket. [P/C: iplt20.com]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/10/e9665-17284513335510-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same video, Aakash Chopra noted that cricket boards will have to share their revenue.
"How can it be done? Firstly, the boards will have to be slightly liberal in sharing the money. The world economy is changing slightly and the leagues are dominating. So let's start making room for each other and go back towards tri-nation," he said (5:50).
The former India opener added that tri-nation and quadrangular series need to be played to keep international cricket alive.
"If you want to save the sanctity of international cricket, the boards will have to come together and play tri-nation and quadrangular series because bilaterals are not that enjoyable as there are so many one-sided games. Then you also forget what happened in the last bilateral," Chopra observed.
While noting that Test cricket can stay bilateral, Chopra requested all the boards to start thinking of tri-nation or quadrangular series for ODIs and T20Is. He added that the golden goose is being killed otherwise.