Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin It has sparked a new debate about the future of ICC tournaments. ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Ashwin believes that the very frequency of ICC events, coupled with one-sided fixtures featuring very uneven teams, could significantly reduce fan interest in the marquee tournament.
Ravichandran Ashwin on why fans won’t watch T20 World Cup 2026
Ashwin did not mince words when discussing the structure and appeal of modern ICC competitions. The ex-con claimed early round matches pitting top-ranked nations against relatively inexperienced sides fail to capture the imagination of spectators.
According to Ashwin, contests like India’s against related teams in the opening stages do little to generate excitement. He pointed out that such fixtures risk alienating fans rather than attracting them, as the competitive balance is often lacking. According to him, these inconsistencies undermine the very essence of the World Cup, which is meant to showcase high-intensity cricket at the highest level.
“No one will be watching the ICC T20 World Cup this time. India vs USA, India vs Namibia – these are the games that will literally take you away from the World Cup” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
Losing expectations about global events
Ashwin also highlighted how the traditional appeal of ICC tournaments has eroded over time. He recalled a time when World Cups were held every four years, allowing anticipation and narrative to build naturally. Back then, there were early round clashes between heavyweight teams like India. EnglandSri Lanka or Australia were major attractions in their own right.
Now, however, Ashwin feels that the overexposure of global tournaments is dampening that excitement. The sense of connection with fans who watch World Cups and ICC events almost every year has diminished. The former India star suggested scarcity was what once made these tournaments special, a factor largely missing from the current calendar.
“The World Cups were held every four years, so the interest was spent. India would play England or Sri Lanka in the first round and it was more fun.” Ashwin added.
Also READ: Ravichandran Ashwin picks 2 outstanding players for India in 2025
Overcrowded ICC Schedule Checked
Since 2010, ICC tournaments have been held with remarkable regularity, with hardly a year going by without a major global event. The T20 World Cup scheduled for 2020 was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was eventually held in 2021, followed by another edition in 2022. ODI World Cup took place in 2023, T20 World Cup took place in 2024, Champions Trophy took place in 2022 and now another World Cup has reached T2022.
Also READ: 3 T20I superstars bowing out ahead of T20 World Cup 2026
