The Champions Trophy 2025 continues to struggle with low spectator turnout. The India vs. Bangladesh clash in Dubai saw vast empty sections in the stadi, just like the Pakistan vs. New Zealand opener in Karachi. Despite high-profile teams competing, fan engagement remains low, raising concerns about ODI cricket’s popularity.
Lalit Modi Questions ODI Relevance
Former IPL chairman Lalit Modi shared his thoughts on social media, questioning whether One-Day cricket is losing its appeal.
“Watching the @ICC Champions Trophy match between #India and #Bangladesh. Stands are empty. That would not happen at an #IPL game. Is ODI cricket becoming irrelevant? Should we replace it with more Test matches?”
His remarks ignited discussions online, with many users posting pictures of deserted stands. Some argued that ODIs lack the excitement of T20s, while others blamed the location and scheduling.
Bangladesh Opt to Bat in Underwhelming Atmosphere
Despite the lack of crowd energy, Bangladesh won the toss and chose to bat. Both teams made strategic changes:
- India brought in Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja, replacing Arshdeep Singh and Varun Chakravarthy.
- Bangladesh opted for Tanzim Hasan over Nahid Rana, fielding a mix of three pacers and two spinners.
Match Lineups
India Playing XI:
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav.
Bangladesh Playing XI:
Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Tanzid Hasan, Litton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman.
Does ODI Cricket Need a Revival?
The poor attendance raises serious concerns. The stadium maximum empty seats. In contrast, T20 leagues like the IPL continue to attract massive crowds. As a result, many are questioning ODI cricket’s long-term viability.
Could this be a turning point for the format? Or does the issue lie in poor scheduling and location choices?
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