It’s a simple, powerful question that cuts to the heart of a growing crisis in international cricket: ‘Why can’t we?’ And it’s coming from a trusted voice in the Indian dressing room—former all-rounder Irfan Pathan. His target? The bafflingly timid approach to ODI scheduling that’s failing to capitalize on the final, golden chapter of two of the game’s all-time greats: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma .
At a time when many fear the 50-over format is fading into irrelevance, Pathan sees a beacon of light. He’s witnessed firsthand how the mere announcement of a Kohli or Rohit appearance in an ODI can send ticket sales soaring and TV ratings through the roof. Their love for the format, combined with their still-dominant performances at the top of the ICC rankings, has single-handedly restored a sense of occasion to bilateral series . And yet, cricket’s gatekeepers are content with the status quo of forgettable, three-match contests. Pathan’s frustration is not just personal; it’s a strategic alarm bell for the sport’s future.
Let’s be brutally honest. For several years, the ODI format felt like an afterthought. Bilateral series were often played in front of half-empty stadiums, with rotating squads and a general lack of narrative. The rise of T20 leagues, with their non-stop action and star power, had cast a long shadow.
Then came the “Kohli-Rohit Effect.” Their decision to retire from T20Is after the 2024 World Cup victory and focus their final international efforts on ODIs has been a masterstroke for the 50-over game . Whenever these two legends step onto the field, they bring an aura, a sense of history, and a level of performance that is impossible to ignore. Their battle for the No. 1 spot in the ICC ODI batting rankings isn’t a relic of the past; it’s a live, thrilling contest happening in real-time . This is not nostalgia; it’s a live, high-stakes drama that fans are desperate to witness.
This is where Irfan Pathan’s passion turns into a pointed critique. He sees the immense, tangible value these players generate and is bewildered by the conservative approach of cricket boards. “Why can’t we arrange that?” he has publicly questioned, referring to the possibility of more expansive and exciting ODI contests .
His plea is rooted in a deep sense of urgency. The window to build around Kohli and Rohit is closing fast. All signs point to the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa as their grand farewell. So, the question becomes: why limit their impact to a handful of matches? Why not create a grand, celebratory tour that gives fans across the world one last, extended chance to see them in action? Pathan’s call is a direct challenge to the short-sightedness of a system that prioritizes a rigid calendar over fan engagement and format health.
Pathan’s first and most straightforward proposal is to extend the standard bilateral ODI series. Instead of the usual three-match affair, he advocates for five-match series, particularly for marquee tours like Australia or England visiting India .
The benefits are clear and compelling:
For a team with the drawing power of an India side led by Kohli and Rohit, a five-match series would be a guaranteed blockbuster.
Pathan’s vision doesn’t stop at bilateral contests. He is a vocal proponent of bringing back the iconic multi-team ODI tournament—the tri-series or quadrangular series—that defined an era of cricket .
Imagine a tri-series in 2026 featuring India, Australia, and England, with each team playing the others twice before a final. The global interest would be immense, creating a true festival of cricket. These tournaments were electric because every match mattered from the start, they fostered unique rivalries, and they provided a perfect, high-stakes build-up to the World Cup. In the current landscape, dominated by isolated series, their return would be a breath of fresh air.
The current Future Tours Programme (FTP) feels like a blueprint for missed chances. Take the upcoming New Zealand tour of India in January 2026. It’s slated for a three-match ODI series . It’s a good start, but why not make it legendary? Adding a third team or simply extending it to five matches would have transformed this into a landmark event, capitalizing perfectly on the final ODI years of its biggest stars. The reluctance to do so is a strategic blunder that leaves money, fan engagement, and the health of the ODI format on the table.
Irfan Pathan’s plea provides a ready-made, practical blueprint for administrators:
This plan is not about sentiment; it’s smart, sustainable business for the sport.
Irfan Pathan’s simple question, ‘Why can’t we?’, is a direct challenge to the cricketing establishment. The ingredients for an ODI renaissance are all present: two generational talents, still at their peak, in a format they love, with a massive global fanbase desperate to see them. The only thing missing is the will to adjust the ODI scheduling. The time to act is now, before this final, golden opportunity slips away forever. The fans, and the format itself, are waiting for an answer.
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