![R Ashwin and Jay Shah [Source: AFP and AP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1784179292518_AshwinandJayShah.jpg?type=hq)
R Ashwin and Jay Shah [Source: AFP and AP]
The Jay Shah-led International Cricket Council recently announced sweeping changes to the formats of the 2027 ODI World Cup and the 2028 T20 World Cup in a bid to make both tournaments more competitive.
While the governing body believes the revised structure of the World Cup will add greater significance to every match, the changes have also triggered concerns regarding the future of Associate nations in international cricket.
Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has now entered the debate with a fresh proposal. While backing the ICC's intention of improving competitiveness, R Ashwin argued that the governing body must simultaneously create a stronger pathway for emerging nations if the ultimate goal is to grow the sport globally.
What is the new World Cup format that Jay Shah-led ICC introduced?
The ICC has expanded the 2027 ODI World Cup from 10 teams to 14 teams. However, unlike the 2015 edition, the additional teams will not directly enter the main group stage.
Under the revised structure, the teams finishing 12th, 13th and 14th in qualification will first compete in a preliminary Round 1, with only one team progressing to the main stage alongside the remaining 11 qualified nations.
The second round will then feature two groups of six teams each, with the top three teams from both groups and the next-best placed side advancing to the newly-introduced Super 7 stage. The top four teams from the Super 7 will qualify for the semifinals.
While the format increases the total number of matches from 48 to 57 and introduces more high-pressure contests, several observers believe it significantly reduces opportunities for Associate nations.
Instead of regularly facing Full Member nations on the biggest stage, emerging teams like the Netherlands, Scotland, Nepal and the USA could find themselves competing almost exclusively against fellow Associates in the preliminary round.
That limits their exposure, reduces their chances of upsetting established sides and restricts valuable experience against top-quality opposition.
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R Ashwin proposes new solution for Jay Shah's ICC
Reacting to the ICC's announcement, Ravichandran Ashwin stated that the format changes make complete sense from a competitive perspective.
However, he believes competitiveness alone cannot drive the long-term growth of international cricket.
Ashwin argued that Associate nations require more meaningful matches throughout the calendar rather than only featuring in qualification tournaments every few years.
“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,” R Ashwin wrote.
The former India spinner suggested that teams such as Netherlands, Scotland, Nepal, USA and Ireland should regularly be included as the third team in bilateral series involving Full Member nations.
According to Ashwin, this would provide emerging teams with consistent exposure against stronger opponents instead of restricting them to qualification pathways.
Can R Ashwin's proposal help grow international cricket?
Ashwin's suggestion addresses one of the biggest concerns surrounding international cricket, i.e., the limited opportunities available to Associate nations.
Although the ICC's revamped format aims to make every World Cup fixture more competitive and commercially valuable, it also risks isolating developing cricketing nations from the sport's biggest stage.
Introducing Associate teams like Nepal and Netherlands into bilateral tri-series or three-team white-ball tournaments could provide them with regular exposure against elite opposition without significantly disrupting the international calendar.
Such a model would also help emerging boards improve their standards, attract sponsorships and build stronger fan bases through frequent high-profile matches.
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