Overview:
He emphasized the widening gap between established and emerging teams, stating that early-stage mismatches take away from the competitive nature of the tournament.
Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has issued a stern warning to the International Cricket Council, suggesting that the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup could see a lack of viewership. He pointed to the frequent occurrence of ICC events and the widening gap in skill levels between teams as major reasons for this decline in interest.
During a discussion on his YouTube channel, Ashwin highlighted that the rise in one-sided games in the initial stages of the competition could potentially lead to a loss of fan interest.
“No one will bother watching the ICC T20 World Cup this time. India vs USA, India vs Namibia matches will push fans away. World Cups used to happen every four years, and the excitement would build up. India used to face teams like England or Sri Lanka in the first round, which was much more entertaining,” Ashwin said.
Ashwin raised concerns about the frequent scheduling of ICC events, pointing out that it has diminished the excitement and anticipation typically surrounding World Cups. He emphasized the widening gap between established and emerging teams, stating that early-stage mismatches take away from the competitive nature of the tournament.
Since 2010, ICC tournaments have occurred nearly every year, with 2018 being the only exception. The T20 World Cup was pushed from 2020 to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and held again in 2022. The 50-over World Cup took place in 2023, followed by the 2024 T20 World Cup, the Champions Trophy in 2025, and now another T20 World Cup in 2026.
Ashwin’s comments align with concerns raised by fans and former players, who feel that the increasingly packed international schedule has led to monotony and viewer burnout.
The 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, set to begin on February 7 and co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, will include 20 teams. India, the defending champions and favourites to retain the title, will play against the USA in the opening match. The teams have been divided into five groups.