According to a new survey conducted by the World Cricketers Association (WCA), the T20 World Cup has seen a growing popularity over the ODI World Cup among players around the world, in the last few years.
The growing trend suggests that there has been a sharp increase in players, who have started to feel that the T20 format is more important compared to other formats of the International Cricket Council (ICC) events. This is more notable among younger cricketers.
BET NOW: Exclusive sign-up offers and bonuses when you bet on T20 World Cup action
In 2019, 85% of survey participants ranked the ODI World Cup as the most important ICC event, compared to 15% who chose the T20 World Cup. In 2024, however, only 50% chose the ODI World Cup, compared to 35% who picked the T20 World Cup.
The Sporting News explores and takes a detailed look at the new trends regarding the most important ICC event, among cricketers.
MORE: Barbados weather forecast ahead of India vs South Africa T20 World Cup 2024 final
Is the T20 World Cup more important than the ODI World Cup?
The new trend shows that younger players (under the age of 26) feel the growing importance of the T20 World Cup over the ODI World Cup in 2024, among ICC events.
In 2019, 86% of the younger players had picked the 50-over format over compared to just 14% who picked the T20 World Cup. Fast forward five years and in 2024, the T20 World Cup has seen an increase in preference with close 41% picking the format.
As per the World Cricketers Association (WCA)survey, the T20 WC is on course to overtake the CWC as the important ICC event to the players around the world. pic.twitter.com/LpFFkFF4H1
— Ragav 𝕏 (@ragav_x) June 28, 2024
Similarly, there has been a growing preference for the T20 format over the longer formats, in general. Five years ago, 82% of survey participants picked Test cricket as the most important format while only 11% picked T20s. In 2024, only 48% of players chose Test cricket compared to 30% who chose the T20 format.
The sample size for the survey was around 330 professional players from 13 different countries, the majority of whom are current international cricketers.
India, Pakistan and Afghanistan players were not among those who participated in the survey because they are not represented by the WCA. The survey participants were spread across players from other countries including Australia, Bangladesh, England, New Zealand, South Africa and West Indies.
Read More: Playing conditions and regulations for India vs South Africa ICC T20 World Cup 2024 Final explained
'Survey highlights the trend in player preferences towards T20 cricket' - WCA chief executive
Tom Moffat, WCA's chief executive, told ESPNcricinfo: "This Men's T20 World Cup has been a great spectacle and our latest global player survey data continues to highlight the trend in player preferences towards T20 cricket in particular."
"The rapid evolution in the game is exciting but also presents challenges of leadership in a sport that has traditionally not come together coherently on many global issues outside of ICC events," he said.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Learn more >