Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has welcomed the ICC’s decision to revamp the formats of the 2027 ODI World Cup and the 2028 T20 World Cup, but believes the governing body must go a step further if it truly wants to make cricket a global sport. The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday announced major structural changes to its two flagship tournaments. While the 2027 ODI World Cup will continue to feature 14 teams, it will adopt a new three-stage format.

Meanwhile, the 2028 T20 World Cup will replace the Super 8 stage with a Super 10 format, increasing the number of meaningful matches and raising the competitive stakes throughout the tournament. Reacting to the announcement, Ashwin said the changes are a positive step but argued that tournament reforms alone will not be enough to accelerate cricket’s global growth.

“The ICC’s changes to the fixture format for the 2027 ODI World Cup and 2028 T20 World Cup make sense from a competitiveness standpoint. But if the final goal is to grow the game, there needs to be a stronger pathway for emerging nations,” Ravichandran Ashwin wrote on X.

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The veteran spinner suggested that developing teams such as the Netherlands, Scotland, Nepal, USA and Ireland should regularly feature in bilateral series alongside Full Member nations instead of only receiving opportunities through qualification events.

“Teams like the Netherlands, Scotland, Nepal, USA and Ireland need more meaningful matches, such as being included as the third team in bilateral series, rather than just playing qualification tournaments,” Ravichandran Ashwin added.

The ICC’s changes to the fixture format for the 2027 ODI World Cup and 2028 T20 World Cup make sense from a competitiveness standpoint.

But if the final goal is to grow the game, there needs to be a stronger pathway for emerging nations.

Teams like the Netherlands, Scotland,…

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) July 16, 2026

He also pointed out that strengthening associate nations would benefit cricket’s long-term future, especially with the sport set to return to the Olympic Games. According to Ashwin, a broader competitive landscape would make cricket a far more attractive global spectacle. Ashwin’s comments echo the views of several emerging cricket nations, including Nepal and Scotland, whose spirited performances in recent ICC tournaments highlighted their potential despite limited international exposure.

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Under the revised ODI World Cup format, the teams finishing 12th to 14th in qualification will first compete in a Super Series, with only the winner progressing to the main tournament. The remaining 12 teams will then compete in two groups of six, before the top performers advance to the newly introduced Super 7 stage. The top four teams from the Super 7 will qualify for the semifinals.

The 2028 T20 World Cup will also undergo a significant transformation. The tournament will begin with five groups of four teams, with the top two from each group advancing to the Super 10 stage. Group winners will qualify directly for the semifinals, while the second and third-placed teams will battle in cross-group eliminators for the remaining two semifinal spots, making every match carry greater importance.