Former and current cricketers have predicted the slow death of one-day internationals as the players don’t want to play the format. Ben Stokes retired from the ODIs, saying he doesn’t want his body to suffer.
Aakash Chopra and Yuvraj Singh have also spoken about the dying interest of the fans in the game. However, Harsha Bhogle feels the first contest between India and New Zealand in Hyderabad could save the format.
“This game has given one-day cricket such a shot in the arm. There is still time to come back,” he wrote.
Talking about the match, Shubman Gill slammed 208, including 19 fours and 9 sixes to take the Rohit Sharma-led team to 349/8 in 50 overs.
Michael Bracewell’s 140 off 78 almost took the Kiwis to a sensational win but his dismissal sealed the game in India’s favour by 12 runs.