Most major cricket tournaments have some flaw or the other. Some, mainly from major cricketing nations, feel the World Cup and World T20 are a bit too long with a fair number of one-sided matches.
The annual T20 carnival of the Indian Premier League (IPL) overflows with 60-odd matches crammed in a two-month period. But there is one event that is just right when it comes to content and quality – Champions Trophy.
The previous edition in 2013 was widely believed to be the last one as fans were seen to be enamoured with the World Cups – for 50 and 20 overs. It was thought that the Champions Trophy lacked context and fans didn’t have the appetite for another 50-over tournament.
But the 2013 edition changed perceptions, including mine.
Having eight top teams compete in a short tournament not only ensures quality cricket but also gives one-day cricket a bit more relevance in the face of serious threat from T20.
With the schedule for the 2017 Champions Trophy out, fans can look forward to some great clashes. Defending champions India are set to begin their campaign against Pakistan and there will be huge buzz around the tournament.
Bilateral series between India and Pakistan have been held hostage by political considerations for a long period and it has been nearly a decade since we witnessed a full series between the subcontinent giants.
BREAKING: The ICC formally announces the groups for the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 #CT17
— ICC (@ICC) June 1, 2016
Fixtures coming up live.... pic.twitter.com/cAhQGDuB8y
While one or two matches a year do not do any justice to those deprived of encounters between the traditional rivals, at least tournaments like the Champions Trophy provide a platform for a few wishes to come true.
And a match between the two teams in the group stage of the ICC tournament is guaranteed to generate tremendous interest, as it did during this year’s World T20 where their face-off at the Eden Gardens was watched by 80 million viewers in India alone.
It’s not just about India-Pakistan. England, Australia and New Zealand are in Group A of the Champions Trophy and those will be high intensity matches as well between fierce rivals.
The latest announcement also provides greater clarity regarding the course the game in general is going to take.
There is a concerted effort from the ICC to bring the World T20 back on a two-year cycle following the hugely successful 2016 edition in India.
With the 50 over World Cup and the Champions Trophy on a four year cycle, fans will get to see one major tournament every year, if things go according to plan.
Other positive developments have taken place as well, albeit off the field.
It started with Shashank Manohar becoming the ICC chief and moving swiftly to ensure that boards like that of India, Australia and England don’t assume complete control of the game.
The BCCI itself has been forced to clean up its house after the apex court in India recommended a complete overhaul of the cricketing establishment. These individual storylines combine to create a positive picture.
That’s not to say there won’t be any negative developments, like the possible financial hit the Indian board might take if it follows the Supreme Court’s diktat regarding TV advertisements.
But as far as things that are in its control are concerned, the stakeholders are making the right noise and moves.
