Future of bilateral ODIs under significant threat, says Jonty Rhodes

Former South Africa batter Jonty Rhodes feels that while the 50-over World Cup may retain its relevance, there is a significant threat to the future of bilateral ODIs.

Rhodes also touched upon what was once a very strong notion that T20 cricket was about to adversely impact the entity of Test matches, but it didn't transpire that way.

“When T20 cricket first started, people were saying, well, it’s going to put pressure on Test cricket. And amazingly, it hasn’t," said Rhodes at the jersey launch of ETPL’s Rotterdam Dockers franchise in Mumbai. 

“But for me, it was always understanding that 50-over cricket might be the one format where, because we bring in such a fresh crowd and a different perspective into the game, possibly 50-over cricket might be in trouble in the years ahead.

“So I think there’s still great scope, and it’s such an exciting opportunity to play in a cricket World Cup, whether it’s T20 or 50-over. So at this stage, I think there will be fewer and fewer bilateral series where there’s a lot of 50-over cricket in the bilateral series, but it’s very difficult to think of cricket without the 50-over version,” Rhodes, who co-owns Dockers, added.

South Africa are one of the co-hosts of the ODI World Cup 2027 alongside neighbours Zimbabwe and Namibia. Rhodes is chuffed about the opportunity and wants the Proteas to finally snap their unwanted streak by winning the silverware.

“We as a nation, from the 2010 Football World Cup, the 1995 Rugby World Cup, the 2007 T20 World Cup, there was a team that won that in 2007, what a great team! I think everybody who’s been to South Africa to follow cricket has really enjoyed their time. So, we as South Africans are looking forward to hosting it.

“I think World Cup cricket is such a special occasion that everybody who comes there is going to enjoy themselves. But I think, as a South African team that’s hosting, there are a few things that we would like to settle. And one of those is obviously winning an ICC limited-overs trophy,” he concluded.