NEW DELHI: Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has launched a sharp critique of the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the scheduling and structure of the 2026 T20 World Cup, warning that the tournament risks losing fan interest even before it gathers momentum.
The competition, set to be staged in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, will feature India playing associate nations in the early fixtures — a move Ashwin believes could dilute excitement. He argued that high-profile clashes at the start of tournaments were key to building anticipation, something he feels is missing under the current format.
“No one is going to watch the ICC T20 World Cup this time. India vs USA, India vs Namibia — these are games that will literally pull you away from the World Cup,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel Ash ki Baat. He added that the ICC’s packed calendar of back-to-back global events has led to viewer fatigue.
Ashwin contrasted the modern schedule with his childhood memories, recalling how World Cups in 1996, 1999 and 2003 were held once every four years, allowing anticipation to grow naturally. “We collected World Cup cards, printed schedules and waited for it,” he said. “That anticipation used to build on its own.”
The veteran spinner suggested that frequent ICC tournaments and less competitive early matches have reduced the sense of occasion that once defined World Cups, calling for a rethink in how global events are structured to preserve fan engagement.
