(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] In an age dominated by the brevity of T20s and T10s, traditional One Day International cricket seems to be dwindling swiftly. Adding momentum to this shift, Disney Star, the official broadcasters for ICC events, is said to have proposed transforming the format of the Champions Trophy 2025 from ODI to the more compact T20I, signaling another step in the evolution of the game.
This move to change the format from 50 to 20 overs is aimed at attracting a larger audience, aligning with the current trend in the cricketing world. The Champions Trophy, traditionally played in the ODI format since its inception in 1998, could witness its first-ever iteration in the T20I format.
The Champions Trophy 2025 will feature only eight teams, determined by their standings in the ongoing ICC ODI Cricket World Cup 2023 points tally. Teams such as India, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan (as hosts) and Afghanistan have already secured their spots, while England, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka vie for the remaining two positions.
As reported by The Guardian, Disney has already envisioned the 2025 Champions Trophy in the T20 format, emphasizing the industry’s proactive approach to adapting to changing viewer preferences.
Looking ahead, until 2031, there are already four scheduled ICC T20 World Cups (2024, 2026, 2028, and 2030), along with the T20 event in the LA Olympics 2028. The inclusion of Champions Trophy events in 2025 and 2029 as multi-nation tournaments possibly embracing the shortest format reflects a broader trend. Whereas only 2027 and 2031 are the years in which multiple teams will play tournaments of 50 overs.