ICC CEO Declares the End of Random Bilateral Cricket Series

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-08-13

The International Cricket Council (ICC) CEO Sanjog Gupta has made it clear: the days of randomly scheduled bilateral cricket series are over. In a bold statement on August 12, 2026, Gupta explained that international matches between two countries need more meaning to survive in today's crowded sports landscape. Without a clear reason to play, he argues, nations simply won't invest the money needed to keep the game alive. This isn't just about tradition. It's about survival. With T20 franchise leagues exploding in popularity across the globe, international cricket is fighting for every fan and every dollar. Gupta believes that every match must now have a clear purpose to keep people interested, and that means a radical shift in how teams plan their yearly schedules. ### The Four Pillars of Modern Cricket Scheduling So what makes a cricket match worth watching? Gupta pointed to four essential pillars that drive fan attention: context, culture, competition, and competitiveness. These aren't just buzzwords—they're the foundation for the sport's future. - **Context**: Every match should mean something bigger, like a trophy, a ranking, or a spot in a major tournament. - **Culture**: The history and tradition between the two sides matter. Rivalries bring passion. - **Competition**: Teams need to be playing for high stakes, not just filling calendar gaps. - **Competitiveness**: The games themselves have to be close and exciting. Nobody wants to watch a blowout. Gupta warned that if these four elements are missing, matches will feel like meaningless exhibitions. Fans will tune out, and countries won't be able to justify the expense of hosting international series. The ICC is already looking at the next Future Tours Programme (FTP) cycle from 2027 to 2031 to fix these issues. ### The Future of One-Day International (ODI) Cricket You might think the 50-over format is on its last legs, especially with T20 leagues dominating the headlines. But Gupta is surprisingly optimistic. "The survival of ODIs is inextricably linked to the ICC World Cup," he said. That's the key: as long as ODIs lead up to the major world tournaments, the format will thrive. Gupta has floated the idea of creating a dedicated "window" in the calendar purely for ODI cricket ahead of the World Cup. That would give teams a chance to prepare properly and give fans a story to follow. And it's not all doom and gloom out there. Earlier this month, Scotland and Canada played the 5,000th ODI in Dundee, a milestone that proves the format still has global reach. The ICC has already locked in World Cups for 2027 and 2031, plus a Champions Trophy in 2029. ### Major Changes for the 2027 World Cup Here's where things get interesting. The 2027 ODI World Cup, co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, will feature 14 teams—more than the last edition. But not everyone is happy about how the tournament is being structured. The ICC has introduced a "Super Series" round for lower-ranked teams, and only one team out of the bottom three qualifiers will make it into the main tournament. Cricket Scotland and the Netherlands Cricket Board have called the new system "disrespectful" and accused the ICC of "lacking communication." Despite the complaints, Gupta is pushing forward. "If you're not growing, you're dying," he said. The ICC is committed to making all formats of the game more exciting for younger fans, even if that means ruffling some feathers along the way. The bottom line? International cricket is changing, and it's changing fast. Whether you love ODIs, T20s, or Test matches, one thing is clear: every match will soon have to earn its place on the calendar.