  In the dynamic realm of One Day International (ODI) cricket, the sport has
undergone significant transformations over the past four decades. This study
digs into the intricate evolution of ODI cricket from 1987 to 2023, analyzing
about 4000 matches to uncover pivotal performance indicators such as batting
prowess, bowling efficiency, and partnership dynamics. Employing statistical
methodologies, including Cohen's effect size, we scrutinize the observed
changes that have shaped ODI cricket's landscape. Our findings reveal nuanced
trends: while first innings scores have shown stability with sporadic high
outliers in recent years, the impact of achieving scores exceeding 300 has
notably increased. Furthermore, batting depth and early wickets lost in the
first innings continue to significantly influence match outcomes, highlighting
strategic shifts in team approaches. We also observe improvements in second
innings bowling effectiveness, particularly in wicket-taking ability,
underscoring evolving defensive strategies. This research contributes a
statistical foundation to comprehensively understand the evolving dynamics of
ODI cricket, offering insights crucial for strategic decision-making and
further analysis in sports analytics.
