Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra wasn’t happy with ICC allowing the T10 league to happen. He highlighted with ODI cricket already under scanner, there wasn’t a need for the league as T20s are doing fine all around the world.
Aakash Chopra’s comment came when he was asked by a fan on his YouTube channel if ICC should start a tournament based on the T10 format. The cricketer-turned-commentator however, wasn’t interested in it but admitted that the 10-over format is likely to stay because mind has been made for it.
Chopra mentioned that the league doesn’t happen without the permission of ICC and the governing body has allowed it. This according to him suggests that the T10 format will be there in the future in international cricket. He claimed that although he isn’t a big fan of it, the T10 league of ICC will happen at some stage.
While citing the reason behind him not being a fan of the format, Aakash Chopra said that the T20 format hasn’t done anything wrong. He highlighted how the 20-over format gave space to ODIs, which are going down. He explained:
“Where will we stop? First 20-20, T20, then T10, 10-10, then 5-5. I mean, where do you want to stop? It is inevitable. I am not saying that it won’t happen. If will happen definitely. Because now the mind has been made that T10 is here to stay. You have also allowed a league. It doesn’t happen without ICC’s permission. You have allowed it.
“It is bound to happen. When will it happen? I don’t know. At some stage, T10 will be played. How soon? I don’t know. Personally, I am not a huge fan. Why? Because T20 has not done anything wrong. ODI cricket was starting to lag. It was getting a little boring. T20 cricket gave it space.”
The ICC has allowed the T10 league to happen in Abu Dhabi. Various superstars have been part of the league and have expressed their interest in playing the format. It also has seen crowds coming to witness the games in the format as it’s less time-consuming. Also, there have been other T10 leagues as well.
In T20 cricket, nothing has happened that you think it is boring – Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra stated that T20 cricket is not boring as people are connected with it but when it’s boring then T10 might come into place. He also highlighted that it’s only in cricket that the format changes. He explained:
“So T20 cricket did that work. Now in T20 cricket, nothing has happened that you think it is boring. If it happens, then change it. But if not, then stay connected with a format. Otherwise, how many formats do you need? Our game is such that there are so many formats. There is Test, ODI, T20, now play T10.
“Watch tennis, football, badminton. Formats don’t change. Only singles and doubles happen. That’s about it. Formats don’t change. Our format changes. It is a different story,” he concluded.