Favourite Cricket Format Among Indians

Cricket in India has always been more than just a sport; it is a cultural phenomenon. From the five-day Test matches to the adrenaline rush of T20 cricket, each format has its loyal audience. But the big question remains: which is truly the favourite cricket format among Indians? Using data-driven insights from surveys, media coverage, and the CBP Market Index, we can understand how Indians view Test cricket, ODIs, and T20s.

Evolution of Cricket Formats

• Test Cricket- The oldest and most prestigious format, demanding patience, endurance, and strategy. Revitalised by the World Test Championship.
• ODI (One Day Internationals)- Compact 50-over format, balancing strategy and excitement. Home to India’s iconic World Cup victories.
• T20I- The shortest and most fast-paced format. Its boom has been fuelled by the IPL, pulling massive audiences both in stadiums and on TV.

Industry Insights on Popularity

The table below shows how ten major cricket media sources and surveys (like ESPNcricinfo, ICC research, Reddit polls, etc.) ranked the popularity of Test, ODI, and T20 formats between 2022 and mid-2025.

Each source gave a point (1) to the format they considered most valued, and at the end, all the points were added up. The result is clear:

• Test cricket got 8 mentions– the majority still see it as the most respected format.
• ODIs got 2 mentions– limited support, but still considered important by a few.
• T20s got 2 mentions– popular for entertainment, but not viewed as the top format by most experts.

CricketBetPro’s survey of ten top cricket media outlets between 2022 and June 2025 highlights how the three formats are perceived.

Result- The survey of 10 cricket sources shows that Test cricket is still seen as the most respected format, winning 8 mentions, while ODIs and T20s got just 2 each. This proves that despite the rise of shorter formats, the industry still values Test cricket as the pinnacle of the game.

Statistical Performance: The CBP Score

The CBP Score evaluates two major factors; average global viewership (60%) and match outcomes (40%). This paints a different picture of format popularity.

Result- T20 cricket leads viewership with ~150 million viewers per match, followed by ODIs (~130 million). Tests, despite high prestige, trail with ~70 million per day.

The CBP Market Index: Explained and Final Ranking

The CBP Market Index is a unique model designed by CricketBetPro to provide a more comprehensive ranking of cricket formats. It combines two layers of analysis:

1. CBP Score (Numerical Performance): Based on raw data like global viewership averages, number of matches played annually, and the percentage of matches with a result. This measures the popularity and competitive edge of each format.
2. Industry Insights (Perceptions & Prestige): Curated from cricket media, surveys, and expert opinions, showing how the cricketing world values each format.

By applying weighted importance to both (numerical score and expert perception), the CBP Market Index creates a balanced view; not just what fans watch, but also what experts and professionals consider most important.

Final Ranking

Final Outcome: Test cricket is ranked highest, driven by overwhelming prestige. However, T20 and ODIs dominate numerically.

Methodology Behind the CBP Score: How Cricket Format Popularity Was Measured?

What does the CBP Score measure?

The CBP Score was created to judge which cricket format is more popular based on two main factors:

●     Viewership (60%) → How many people watch on average.

●     Match Outcomes (40%) → How often matches produce a clear result (not ending in draws or no-result).

This way, both audience size and game excitement are included.

How is the data collected?

●     Viewership numbers (e.g., ~70M/day for Tests, 130M/match for ODIs, 150M/match for T20s) come from broadcast ratings, streaming reports, and global audience surveys across different years.

●     Runs per innings are taken from official match statistics databases (like ICC or ESPNcricinfo), which show average team scores in each format.

●     % matches with results comes from historical match outcomes (e.g., Tests sometimes end in draws, but ODIs and T20s almost always have winners).

●     Matches per year are counted using the ICC Future Tours Programme and past schedules.

How is it calculated?

●     First, all the raw data (viewership, runs, match results, number of games) is collected.

●     Then, the CBP Score gives more weight to viewership (60%) since fan engagement is the biggest indicator of popularity.

●     Match outcomes (40%) are added to ensure formats with frequent results (ODI & T20) don’t get ignored.

●     Finally, averages are taken across 3 years (2022–2025) to smooth out one-off spikes (like World Cups).

Why does this method make sense?

●     It avoids looking at just one factor (like TV ratings).

●     It balances commercial popularity (audience numbers) with cricket quality (results).

●     It explains why T20 leads in viewership, ODIs are balanced, and Tests stay respected despite smaller audiences.

In short, the CBP Score combines who’s watching and how exciting the matches are to give a fair picture of format popularity.

Player Perceptions: WCA Survey Data (2019- 2024)

Player preferences also reveal how importance is shifting. Surveys from 2019 to 2024 show a major change.

2019– Test cricket dominated as the most important format (82%).

2024– Tests declined to 48%, T20 rose sharply to 30%, and ODIs revived to 22%.

This reflects India’s growing franchise ecosystem and the continuing appeal of the ODI World Cup.

Prestige vs Viewership: The Indian Divide

• Prestige (Tests)– Traditional media, cricket boards, and passionate fans still elevate Test cricket as the pinnacle of the sport. It is viewed as the ultimate examination of skill, endurance, and mental strength.
• Popularity (T20s & ODIs)– For the average Indian cricket fan, the excitement, time efficiency, and entertainment value of T20 and ODIs cannot be ignored.
• Balanced Relevance (ODIs)– Despite fears of decline, ODIs remain relevant due to the Cricket World Cup and its strong Indian fan following.

Conclusion: India’s Favourite Format

Looking at data, surveys, and expert opinion, one thing is clear: there is no single winner in India.

• Test Cricket– Still the most prestigious and respected, especially among purists and cricketing media.
• T20 Cricket– The most watched and commercially successful, pulling in younger fans and massive IPL audiences.
• ODI Cricket– Holds strong World Cup relevance, ensuring its place despite challenges.

The future of Indian cricket fandom rests not on one format replacing another, but on the healthy coexistence of Tests, ODIs, and T20s. Together, they offer fans strategy, excitement, and entertainment in equal measure.

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