In 2019, only 15% of players preferred the T20 World Cup, while an astounding 85% of players thought the 50-over World Cup was the most significant. By the year 2024, such figures had significantly shifted. Currently, half of the players believe that the ODI World Cup is the greatest competition, but thirty-five percent currently prefer the T20 World Cup.
The World Cricketers Association (WCA), formerly known as FICA, recently conducted a player survey that found a notable shift in the way that ICC tournaments are viewed to be important. Notably, compared to past years, the T20 World Cup is beginning to draw closer to the ODI World Cup as the “most important” event among players globally.
In the meantime, the much awaited final between India and South Africa in Barbados on Saturday will bring the ongoing T20 World Cup—co-hosted by the USA and the West Indies—to an end.
The poll also revealed a shift in tastes between generations. The preference for the T20 World Cup has increased dramatically among players under 26, with 41 percent of them choosing it over the 50-over World Cup, which is now held by 49 percent.
In general, the T20 format has been increasingly popular. In 2019, 82% of players thought that Test cricket was the most significant format; by 2024, that percentage had plummeted to 48%. In the meantime, T20 is now regarded as the most significant format by 30% of players.
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Approximately 330 professional players from 13 different countries responded to the study, which was carried out by the newly rebranded WCA. The majority of the participants were current internationals. Notably, because they were not unionised, players from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India were not represented.
The much awaited match between India and Pakistan in this T20 World Cup produced an astounding 256 million viewing hours in India alone, highlighting the format’s increasing significance and popularity.
The T20 World Cup, as everyone knows, is going to keep becoming more popular among players and spectators, influencing how international cricket is played in the future.
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