Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar (Image Credits: India Today)

The popularity of one-day international cricket is declining around the world, and fewer crowds are coming to watch matches in stadiums while T20 cricket is becoming more popular with more franchise leagues around the world. Former Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar suggested a few changes to the 50-over format to make the format more interesting.

Sachin Tendulkar’s statement came just seven months before the 2023 ODI World Cup, which will be held in India later this year. The 13th edition of the tournament will be the first ODI tournament to be held entirely in India, as the nation partially hosted in 1987, 1996, and 2011. India will be the favourite to win the title, as the hosts won the last three editions.

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Speaking at the 20th edition of the India Today Conclave, Sachin Tendulkar said that the two new balls per innings rule is making the ODI format monotonous. Tendulkar believes that there is no reverse swing in the 50-over format now as the ball only starts reversing around the 30th over of play.

“It’s getting monotonous, without a doubt. The current format, which has been there for a while now is two new balls (per innings). When you have two new balls, you have kind of eliminated reverse swing. Even though, we are in the 40th over of the game, it’s just the 20th over of that ball. And the ball only starts reversing around the 30th over,” Tendulkar said in India Today Conclave.

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The two new balls are being used from both ends in the ODIs. The spinners found it difficult to bowl with only four fielders outside the 30-yard circle in middle overs (11-40).

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Reverse Swing Is Missing Today Because Of Two New Balls – Sachin Tendulkar

Tendulkar believes that the game is losing momentum from the 15th to the 40th over due to two new balls. The 49-year-old also feels that the current format is boring and that three innings breaks instead of two are more viable.

“That element (reverse swing) is missing today because of two new balls. The current format, I feel, is heavy on bowlers. Right now, the game is becoming too predictable. From the 15th to the 40th over, it’s losing its momentum. It’s getting boring. So, both teams bowl in the first and the second half. Commercially too it is more viable as there will be three innings breaks instead of two,” Tendulkar added.

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