Cricket Australia chief warns on future of bilateral ODIs

ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta says ODIs can thrive — but only if random bilateral series stop. He made the case while discussing the 50-over format's future, arguing that fewer, more intentional bilateral contests would preserve what makes the game matter.

Excessive bilaterals have diluted the format's value. The ICC has been working to restructure the international calendar, and Gupta's remarks signal where the thinking's headed: a streamlined schedule that lets major tournaments breathe. The governing body will consult with member boards on how to reshape the white-ball calendar, with calendar changes a priority for ICC leadership.

The tension here is real. Boards depend on bilateral revenue. But if every ODI feels fungible, none of them feels special — and that's the ICC's gamble.