Former England World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan has delivered a powerful defence of T20 cricket, stating that the shortest format and franchise leagues like the IPL have single-handedly rescued the sport from potential obscurity. He argued that without them, cricket would be struggling for relevance with the younger generation.
The Stark Warning: A Sport Without T20
Speaking on Sky Sports on January 11, 2026, Morgan presented a stark vision of cricket's alternative future. "I think if the shortest format of the game did not exist, if IPL never happened, if no other franchise leagues in the world did not exist, I think cricket would end up dying in a ditch," Morgan stated bluntly. He emphasised that the popularity of the sport would have seen a significant decline.
The ex-Kolkata Knight Riders skipper pointed out the immense challenge of marketing the traditional formats in today's fast-paced world. "Trying to sell a 5-day game or just a one-day game in particular, to young kids now is very very tough," he explained. In his view, the high-octane, shorter duration of T20 provides the perfect entry point.
T20 as the Essential Gateway for Youth
Morgan framed T20 cricket not as a threat, but as an indispensable introductory pathway. He believes its visibility and engaging nature are crucial for hooking the next generation. "This is the shortest format. If you enjoy this you might also enjoy test match cricket. So at an introductory level, I'm a huge fan of it and without it, I would see a huge decline in the popularity of the sport," he elaborated.
He described T20 as a "magnificent product" that teaches valuable life lessons and showcases the beauty of cricket. This initial engagement, he argues, is what can eventually lead fans to appreciate the nuanced drama of Test matches. Morgan sees the rise of T20 as a necessary "adaptation to the change in generation of young people coming through," one that has thrived and changed the game forever.
Rejecting the Narrative of Format Conflict
Directly addressing critics who blame T20 for diminishing the stature of Tests and ODIs, Morgan dismissed the idea of a destructive rivalry. "I don't fall for the argument that shortest format is eating Test Cricket," he asserted. Instead, he presented a counter-narrative: that the commercial success and widespread appeal of T20 and leagues like the SA20 and IPL have actually provided a lifeline, generating the interest and revenue that helps sustain the entire ecosystem of the sport, including the longer formats.
His comments come at a time when One-Day Internationals, especially outside of World Cups and the Champions Trophy, are frequently debated for their relevance. Morgan's perspective reframes the conversation, suggesting that rather than cannibalising the older formats, the explosive growth of T20 cricket has been their most important safeguard in the modern era.
