Poor spectator turnout, a scheduling fiasco and a dubious outfield have cast a shadow over the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023 in India, as the 50-over game itself faces an existential crisis.

The future of one-day internationals has been thrown into doubt by the growing popularity of the slam-bang Twenty-20 version, and the early optics from the World Cup have not been helping matters. Less than a week since it started, empty seats have plagued the tournament. That has been especially true of games not featuring the hosts but even Sunday`s India-Australia match in Chennai, one of the biggest fixtures of this year`s event, did not see a full house.