Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has claimed that cricketers will soon be starting to choose formats they want to play and suggested that the flamboyant all-rounder, Hardik Pandya may leave ODI cricket after the 2023 World Cup. The retirement of Ben Stokes from the ODIs has brought the spotlight on the international schedule and cricketers continue to play all three forms of the game on a regular basis.

Ravi Shastri, who is currently working as a pundit for Sky Sports, revealed that the all-rounder wants to play T20 cricket and is very clear in his mind about that aspect. As per the quotes in Hindustan Times, he said, “50-over format might be pushed back but it can still survive if you focus just on the World Cup. Test cricket will always remain because of the importance it brings to the game. You have players already choosing what formats they want to play. Take a Hardik Pandya. He wants to play T20 cricket and he is very clear in his mind that ‘I do not want to play anything else.”

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The former India coach also suggested that Pandya may decide to leave ODIs after next year’s World Cup.

Ravi Shastri said, “He will play the 50-over cricket because there is a World Cup in India next year. After that, you might see him going from that as well. You will see a similar thing happening with other players, they will start choosing formats, they have every right to.”

Ravi Shastri also weighed in on the debate between international and franchise cricket and said that the T20 leagues are the fan’s favorite. He suggested that administrators would have to cut the volume of international cricket.

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Elaborating the same, Ravi Shastri said, “It is franchise cricket that is ruling the roost and it will rule the roost. So do not wait for it to happen, then you get on your high horse and ask what should we do? It would be too late, it is going to happen, there is going to be franchise cricket that is going to rule the roost around the world. You will never be able to stop different players going and playing for different franchises.”