Dear Mr Srinivasan, I am a native of Uttar Pradesh currently residing in the state of Jharkhand. I am 29 and just like you I have been a cricket fan all of my life.
My letter to you is related to the state of the upcoming ICC ODI World Cup.
It is quite open that ICC has decided to reduce the next World Cup to just 10 teams. Because of this reduction there will be reduced chances for associate countries to be present at the main round of World Cup as the top associates will have to play qualifiers against bottom ranked Test nations.
So there is a very realistic chance that none of the associate cricket nations will get to participate in World Cup.
Due to the already busy schedule it is very difficult to incorporate matches for top Test countries against top associate countries in the Future Tours Programme. In such a scenario, the World Cup is the only chance for these countries to play cricket in front of a global audience.
These small cricket countries may be short on skill and experience but they are not short on effort and perseverance, and have sometimes managed to create a shock against all odds, thus bringing huge joy to their fans back home and to the global audience who watch them.
Secondly, in the increasingly globalised world where football is trying to expand in India, cricket should take the steps to maintain its pre-eminent position as India’s favourite sport and the world’s favourite bat and ball sport.
When new teams take part in World Cup, then people in new places get to discover cricket. With increased awareness in new places, the Indian cricket team can easily take its place among some of the most iconic team names in world sport like the New Zealand All Blacks, the Green Bay Packers and Manchester United.
Cricket is also facing a huge challenge from football in western countries like England and Australia, and to some extent in India. By reducing the World Cup to 10 teams we are unexpectedly fuelling regressive forces, cricket will face continuous erosion in its popularity against football and other sports that are trying to expand.
Further, it has been proposed that the World T20 will now be held once every four years. This will also reduce chances for associate teams to play at top level.
Therefore it is my heartfelt request to you as a fellow cricket fan to use your position in the ICC to maintain the ODI World Cup in its current format of 14 teams. If that’s not feasible, then at least in the format of the 1996 World Cup.
A vibrant and multicultural World Cup that welcomes increased participation of new countries is in best interest of Indian and world cricket.
I hope you will consider what I am trying to convey in this letter.
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