Ravi Shastri : Champions Trophy diluting value of World Cup
Ravi Shastri has criticized the ICC for having too many global competitions and called for the scrapping of the Champions Trophy as it dilutes the value of the World Cup. Shastri also said playing alongside foreign cricketers in the IPL has lifted the confidence of emerging Indian players.
The 2017 Champions Trophy that is scheduled to begin on June 1 in England and Wales will involve the top eight ODI teams in the world. However, Shastri said that the tournament just takes the shine away from the World Cup.
"I go and meet anyone on the street and am asked 'kitna World Cup hai yaar' (how many World Cups are there), 'World Champion hai kaun' (who is the World Champion), which is a fact. You have both the Champions Trophy and the World Cup. You are (thus) diluting the World Cup," Shastri was quoted as saying by NDTV website..
"World Cup, T20, Test cricket (are fine). What do you need Champions Trophy for? What are you trying to prove? Who remembers (who won them in the past)?
"If you ask me about the last 10-12 World Cups (winners), I will tell you, (but) you ask me (about) the last three Champions Trophy (winners) - I don't know. The last one (in England in 2013) I will tell, because India won..
"If you ask me, five years down the line there will be very little 50-over cricket. There are too many ICC tournaments. Which event (sport) has so many World Champions," the 54-year-old said.
Shastri suggested countries could use the time to focus on domestic cricket.
"It is your first-class domestic tournament, India should have two corridors for that, why one, if it's (presently) six weeks, it can extend to eight weeks. Like Ranji, Duleep Trophy, for the T20 format it is the IPL, you don't need any other tournament," Shastri said.
"Eight franchises, 7 Indians play in each franchise, 56 Indians get the chance. Everyday, (seven Indians) rubbing shoulders with four overseas players. (Their) complex disappears."