Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has raised serious concerns about the future appeal of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, warning that the tournament may struggle to attract viewers due to frequent ICC events and uncompetitive matches.
Concerns Shared on YouTube
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said that fans may gradually lose interest if World Cups continue to be held too often. He pointed out that one-sided matches in the early stages, especially involving strong teams facing emerging nations, could discourage viewers.
According to Ashwin, matches such as India versus lower-ranked teams do not create the same excitement as clashes between traditional rivals, particularly in the opening rounds.
Too Many ICC Tournaments?
Ashwin stressed that World Cups were once special because they were rare. When events were held every four years, anticipation naturally built among fans. He noted that earlier tournaments featured high-quality contests right from the group stage, which kept audiences engaged.
He warned that the crowded international calendar has now reduced the sense of occasion associated with global tournaments.
Growing Gap Between Teams
Another key issue highlighted by Ashwin was the widening performance gap between top teams and emerging sides. He believes that a lack of competitive balance in early matches has negatively affected the overall entertainment value of ICC events.
ICC Event Overload
Since 2010, ICC tournaments have taken place almost every year, with 2018 being the only gap year. The T20 World Cup scheduled for 2020 was postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was followed by another edition in 2022.
The 50-over World Cup took place in 2023, the T20 World Cup in 2024, the Champions Trophy in 2025, and now another T20 World Cup is set for 2026.
Mixed Reactions from Fans
Ashwin’s remarks echo the concerns of many fans and former players who believe that viewer fatigue and monotony are setting in due to excessive international tournaments.
Tournament Details
The 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will begin on February 7 and will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. The event will feature 20 teams, making it one of the largest T20 World Cups so far.
