During the Champions Trophy match in Dubai, many Indian cricket fans criticized the International Cricket Council (ICC) and called for the tournament to be moved to Pakistan. They pointed out the large number of empty seats in the stadium and questioned whether people are still interested in One Day International (ODI) cricket. Some argued that major cricket tournaments should only be held in countries where the sport has a strong following and can attract large crowds.
The low attendance at the match led to a bigger discussion about the future of ODI cricket. Many fans and experts suggested that the format might be losing its appeal and proposed possible changes to keep it exciting. Some recommended reducing the number of overs from 50 to 40 to make the game shorter, while others felt that T20 cricket is the way forward, as it is more entertaining and draws larger audiences.
Former Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Lalit Modi also weighed in on the debate, noting the stark contrast between the empty stands at the Champions Trophy and the packed stadiums during IPL matches. His comments further fueled concerns about the declining popularity of ODI cricket and whether changes are needed to keep fans engaged.
