'Why not reduce it from 50 to 40 now?' - Ravi Shastri's take on ODI format's future

Ravi Shastri has suggested that the ODI format must be reduced from 50 to 40 overs. Earlier, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi also suggested the same. In the second ODI between India and West Indies, the former Indian cricketer touched upon the topic while doing commentary. He stated that the game must evolve and changes must take place to make the format more interesting and engaging.

Ravi Shastri reckons that there is no harm in reducing the overs. Stokes' retirement has sparked a debate around the cricketing world. People are discussing if the 50 over format be reduced to 40 overs. Former Pakistan great Wasim Akram suggested that the ODI format must to be scrapped completely. And, now Ravi Shastri has come up with his piece of advice.

"There is no harm in shortening the span of the game. When one-day cricket started, it was of 60 overs. When we won the World Cup in 1983, it was of 60 overs. After that, people thought that 60 overs were a bit too long. People found that span of overs between 20 to 40 hard to digest. So they reduced it from 60 to 50," Shastri said during the commentary.

In an interview with Samaa TV, Afridi told that the format had to be reduced to 40 overs. Many fans, surprisingly have suggested the same. A few of them, though, opined that the ODI format should not be touched at all. Cricket's governing body has remained silent on the issue so far.

South African wicket keeper Quinton de Cock reckons that the ODI cricket must stay. But he added that the players might give up any one of the formats. Ravi Shastri concluded his opinion, stating that the format should be reduced by 10 overs.

"So years have gone by now since that decision so why not reduce it from 50 to 40 now. Because you got to be forward-thinking and evolve. It stayed for 50 for too long," Shastri concluded.

No one knows what will be the future of ODI cricket. Everyone doubted the survival of Test cricket a few months ago. And now, things have changed.