Strange WC opener as 2019 finalists play to a virtually empty ground
Empty seats at the World Cup opener in India, a strange site for a cricket-crazy country - AFP
England and New Zealand, who played an epic final four years ago at Lord’s, would not have expected empty stands when they opened the 2023 edition of the ICC Men’s World Cup on Thursday.
But this was precisely what both teams saw in the 132,000 capacity Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, and it was the same during other matches so far played across Indian venues the 13th edition of the World Cup.
Contrary to how it is at these stadiums when IPL matches are on or when India is playing, the lack of fan interest in the tournament is glaringly visible.
“The orange stands, empty to a fault, shone brighter under the sun as the 2019 finalists England and New Zealand met to open the 13th edition of the ICC Men’s World Cup. The blue of the upper stand, at least, balanced the stark emptiness of orange below,” reads an article in the Economic Times titled, ‘The buzz is missing in this edition of mega cricket festival’.
Late schedule announcement, changes, chaotic ticketing system, no opening ceremony, and absent frenzy at the first match have all contributed to fans abandoning the game’s biggest festival, the article states.
But are these the only reasons? Or has the growth of T20-based franchise cricket really killed off the goose that had laid golden eggs not so long ago?
“T20 is here to stay and it’s a beast of its own now and I don’t think you can do anything about that,” responded Sri Lanka Coach Chris Silverwood, when asked whether he thinks this World Cup can save the ODI cricket with interest having shifted towards T20s.
The organisers have done little ignite a fan craze. There are no billboards nor advertising campaigns to hype of the tournament.
“It’s attractive, it’s got all the razzmatazz, especially when you look at the IPL and the glamour that goes around that and, equally, the money that’s available to the players. And you’re playing against the best people in the world all the time. So, for me I think that’s a great thing,” he said, describing the impact of T20 cricket.
“I think if we can put a good show on, not just Sri Lanka but all the teams here, we can actually show that this format of the game is great as well, I think it will go a long way to obviously promoting the game,” he maintained.
An Indian journalist, who did not want to be named, believes the ODI format is dying: “If you compare the 2011 World Cup to this, it clearly sees the shifting of fans allegiance from 50-over cricket to T20 cricket. This format is dying and I don’t think we can do anything to keep the fan interest going for ODI cricket.”
“You can see how fans patronise games during the IPL, or even in other leagues around the world,” he said.
“T20 cricket has really taken over and we need to accept it.”
Speaking at a press conference, Temba Bavuma, the South African skipper, admitted how tough it was to motivate cricketers to play for country because of the opportunities they get from franchise cricket. The South African opener Quinton de Kock is retiring at the end of the World Cup in order to concentrate on franchise cricket.
“I don’t know if it’s my job as the captain to inspire the guys to play ODI cricket but I think my biggest thing is that when the guys have that opportunity to play for the country, they give it their all,” he said.
“It’s becoming tougher and tougher for, I guess, guys to overlook the opportunity of the lucrativeness of playing in franchise T20 leagues. And that’s just the real thing.”
“I think organisations around the countries, at least for Cricket South Africa, what I know, are trying to get ahead of that trend,” he explained.
“Maybe that trend is already gone, but they are trying to accommodate those individuals who have those opportunities of plying their trades outside of just playing for South Africa.”