Cricket in 2025 is no longer a gentleman’s game played in white kits over five days. It has become a global business, dominated by T20 leagues, streaming deals, and year-round franchise contracts. As T20 cements its place as the economic engine of the sport, Test cricket—once considered the highest standard—is struggling to hold its ground outside a few legacy nations.
This is no longer just a format debate. It’s a shift in what cricket is, and who it’s for.
T20 is the New Powerhouse Format
A look at the 2024–2025 T20 cycle tells a clear story:
| Tournament | Avg. Viewership (per match) | Top Paid Player | Prize Pool |
|---|---|---|---|
| IPL 2024 (India) | 45 million | Sam Curran – $2.1M (PBKS) | $11 million |
| ILT20 (UAE) | 18 million | Andre Russell – $900K | $6 million |
| SA20 (South Africa) | 12 million | Rilee Rossouw – $700K | $4.5 million |
| CPL (West Indies) | 10 million | Nicholas Pooran – $600K | $2 million |
In less than a decade, T20 leagues have shifted the sport’s center of gravity. A young cricketer can now make millions without ever playing a Test match or earning a national cap. Players like Rashid Khan, Liam Livingstone, and Tim David have built global careers as T20 freelancers.
Test Cricket in 2025: Tradition at a Crossroads
Test cricket still delivers moments of brilliance. The 2024 Ashes, a 2–2 draw packed with drama, strategy, and individual heroics, reminded fans why the long format still matters.
But outside of India, England, and Australia, Test cricket is being deprioritized.
- The West Indies continue to struggle with funding and player retention.
- Sri Lanka and South Africa rotate weakened squads to protect T20 contracts.
- Pakistan rarely hosts five-day series due to tight calendars and logistical challenges.
The core issue is economic: T20 players have up to six annual contracts, plus endorsements. Test specialists play fewer matches, earn less, and spend more time away from home.
Format Preference by Region in 2025
| Region | Most Popular Format | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| India | T20 | High entertainment value, star power |
| England | Test and T20 | Balanced fan base and legacy structure |
| Australia | Test in summer, BBL in January | Seasonal alignment and culture |
| West Indies | T20 (CPL) | Strong regional and entertainment appeal |
| UAE & Africa | T20 | Investment-driven leagues and sponsors |
T20 dominates commercially and culturally, especially in emerging markets where new fans care more about speed and spectacle than five-day discipline.
The Rise of the Hybrid Cricketer
The top players of 2025 are format agnostic. They move seamlessly between Tests, T20 leagues, and limited-over internationals.
- Ben Stokes is still involved in key Tests but skips bilateral ODIs.
- Shubman Gill now leads India across formats and remains a franchise draw.
- Kane Williamson, Babar Azam, and Mitchell Marsh all balance national duty with league stints.
Cricketers now manage their workload not just for physical health, but for brand value and calendar profitability.
ODIs: The Forgotten Format?
ODI cricket has an identity problem. It’s not short enough to be modern or long enough to be historic. Outside of the World Cup, most 50-over games have declining viewership and limited fan engagement.
The ICC is considering:
- Shrinking bilateral ODI series to 2-match formats.
- Rotating formats out of congested tour schedules.
- Introducing innovations like power substitutions or bonus point systems.
Despite a strong 2023 World Cup in India, bilateral ODIs continue to feel like formalities, not must-watch fixtures.
Final Analysis
Cricket is not dying. It is evolving—fast. T20 is the engine that drives commercial growth. Test cricket is still the soul of the sport for traditionalists. ODIs, however, are stuck in limbo.
The next five years will determine whether all three formats survive—or if cricket becomes a two-format game defined by spectacle and legacy.
