“ODI Cricket Is Becoming Too Predictable, Getting Boring” – Sachin Tendulkar Suggests Changes In The 50-Over Format

Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar feels ODI cricket is getting becoming predictable and boring. He expressed that the use of two new balls and the fielding restrictions are making the 50-over format tough for the bowlers. The former India cricketer also suggested some changes that may help to revive the format.

Speaking at the India Today Conclave 2023, Sachin Tendulkar shared his thoughts on the declining popularity of ODI cricket. He expressed that the format is getting monotonous, and needs changes. The right-handed batter said,

“It’s getting monotonous without any doubt. There are two parts. One is the current format and the next is which I feel it should be played Let me talk about the current format which has been there for a while now, which is two new balls. When you have two new balls, it eliminated reverse swing. Even though we are in the 40th over of the game, it’s actually the 20th over of that ball. But I think it only starts reversing around the 30th over or so.”

Sachin Tendulkar further added that earlier due to discoloration, the ball used to get softer, which made it difficult for the batters to judge the shiny side. However, with the use of two balls, reverse swing is missing from the game. He also highlighted the plight of the spinners, with five fielders inside the 30-yard-circle. The spinners find it difficult to bowl with such restrictions.

Sachin Tendulkar’s suggestions to improve ODI cricket

Former India cricketer Sachin Tendulkar suggested that ODI cricket should adopt the Test cricket format. Just like Tests, the match should be divided into four innings of 25 overs each. Explaining his suggestions, Sachin Tendulkar said at the India Today Conclave 2023,

“Test cricket you have 20 wickets, here you only have 10 wickets. If you are dismissed, you are out of the game for the next 25 overs as well. You can’t come back and bat.”

Why I am saying this because we played a tournament in Sri Lanka where we played 118 overs without any result. The first day, Sri Lanka batted first and we played 10 overs, the match was rained out. The match was again called off on the following day. We almost played 118 overs without any result Here, if you have 25 overs and the other side comes and bats 25 overs, here at least each side has completed 25 overs,” he added.

The legendary cricketer further opined that ODI cricket’s current is getting boring, as there is not enough momentum in the middle overs. He said that it’s tough to balance out the dew factor in the current format, which plays a huge role in day and night matches. Sachin Tendulkar said,

“Right now, the game is becoming too predictable. From 15th over to 40th over, there is not enough momentum. There are not enough eyeballs. It’s getting boring. How do we balance that out?

“How do we balance out the dew factor? If a captain has lost the toss if he has to bowl second in wet conditions, it becomes really, really difficult,” he added.