Four innings in an ODI, with each innings of 25 overs, and 15-minute breaks between them – India legend Sachin Tendulkar has reiterated his old suggestion for restructuring ODI cricket to make it more interesting for fans and broadcasters.
Tendulkar first suggested this change a decade ago – the ICC even took the idea on board, but did not implement it eventually.
“The 50-over format is the first thing that needs a look-in,” Tendulkar told The Times of India. “As I had suggested, the format needs a tweak of two innings of 25 overs per side, with a 15-minute break between each innings (a total of four innings between two teams). The number of innovations that can be brought in are huge.
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Sachin Tendulkar first made the suggestion to restructure ODIs in 2009[/caption]
“Let’s say there’s a 50-over-a-side match between Team A and Team B. Team A wins the toss, bats 25 overs – then team B bats for 25 overs. Team A resumes their innings (with wickets left from first innings) from the 26th over. Team B then resumes the last innings to chase the target.
“If Team A has lost all their wickets within the first 25 overs itself, then Team B gets 50 overs (25 overs, plus 25 overs, with a break) to chase the target.”
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Dew is a significant factor in the sub-continent at this time of year, and Tendulkar said playing this format would negate the advantage the chasing team would have. “There’s always a chance to come back into the game,” he said.
“In a regular 50-over format, if a side wins toss and there’s dew, the side bowling second has no chance. The wet ball just skids on to the bat and it’s never a fair battle”.
