Is ODI Cricket Really Dead? Evidence from Kanpur’s Thrilling India A Match
Despite ongoing debates about the future of ODIs, recent attendance and global TV ratings reveal the format continues to captivate cricket fans. So let’s know Is ODI Cricket Really Dead.
Resounding Fan Support in Kanpur
The atmosphere at Green Park Stadium in Kanpur during the recent India A match was electric, with stands filled to capacity and fans waiting in long queues outside the gates. While digital and T20 cricket have surged in popularity, the passion displayed by local supporters proved ODIs still have a place in India’s cricket-loving heart. The match not only drew massive crowds in person, but also trended across social platforms, showcasing the enduring emotional connection and nostalgia cricketers and fans associate with the 50-over game. Crowds cheered every run and wicket—suggesting that when the right contest is staged, traditional cricket enthusiasm remains robust.
Record-Breaking National Viewership
Recent data echoes Kanpur’s excitement at a national level. The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 set unprecedented records, registering TV ratings 23% higher than the 2023 Cricket World Cup and accumulating a staggering 250 billion minutes of viewership across platforms. The final between India and New Zealand clocked a peak TV concurrency of 122 million, with the preceding India-Pakistan ODI emerging as the most-watched ODI ever in India—more than 206 million tuned in live on linear TV. Commentators and ICC officials alike cite these figures as solid proof that ODIs continue to command mass attention, especially when high-stakes or historic rivalries are at play.
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Far from obsolete, ODI cricket retains its place in the hearts of fans. As Kanpur’s turnout and national viewership data confirm, when tradition, rivalry, and context converge, the one-day format continues to flourish—posing the question: Is ODI cricket dead, or simply evolving to meet a new era of fans?
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