‘Fans Are Keeping ODI Cricket Alive’: Jonty Rhodes

T20 cricket has become the dominant format in the modern game, but One-Day Internationals continue to attract strong interest, particularly during major ICC tournaments. Former South African cricketer Jonty Rhodes believes fans are playing a crucial role in keeping the 50-over format alive. He pointed out that the decline in bilateral ODI series is a serious concern and warned that the format could face greater challenges in the future if it is not given enough importance. According to Rhodes, the popularity of ODI cricket during major tournaments shows that there is still a strong audience for the format.

Rhodes also noted that the emergence of T20 cricket did not have the devastating impact on Test cricket that many initially feared. Instead, aggressive batting and bowling have made several Test matches increasingly entertaining. However, the growing number of T20 leagues and the reduced number of bilateral ODI series have put the 50-over format under pressure. He stressed that while T20 cricket deserves its place in the international calendar, ODI cricket should not be neglected. Rhodes believes it would be difficult to imagine international cricket without the 50-over format.