Former Indian batsman Gautam Gambhir has called for a change in rules of the game in the ODI format after the way the second game between India and England panned out. England won the game with 39 balls to spare chasing a target of 337 runs. Gambhir has lashed out at the current rules in ODI cricket which is not working in favor of the bowlers. He feels that the bowlers are reduced to bowling machines with the current rules in place. 

While India hit 14 sixes in their innings, England hammered 20 sixes en route to their stunning six-wicket win. However, former Indian opener-turned-commentator Gautam Gambhir wasn’t a happy man and has urgently called for rule changes in the ODI format, which seem ‘lopsided’ in favour of batsmen at the moment.

Gautam Gambhir Calls For Change in Lopsided ODI Rules

Gambhir tweeted, “The rules of the game seem so lopsided in favour of batsmen that bowlers seem redundant, ‘also rans’. @ICC urgently needs to relook at the circle rule, two new balls and bouncer restrictions. Otherwise bowlers will be reduced to programmed bowling machines @bcci”.  

The rules of the game seem so lopsided in favour of batsmen that bowlers seem redundant, ‘also rans’. @ICC urgently needs to relook at the circle rule, two new balls and bouncer restrictions. Otherwise bowlers will be reduced to programmed bowling machines @bcci

— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) March 26, 2021

Also Read: India vs England 2021: 2nd ODI- Who Said What?

The boundary dimensions, only four fielders allowed outside the circle, bat size and only two bouncers allowed in the over are all working against the bowler. While the two new balls from both ends and the lack of reverse swing in the modern game are all working in favour of the batsmen. 

Thus totals in excess of 300 and closer to 350 are becoming a regularity in ODI cricket and are being chased down in a canter as well. Many other former cricketers apart from Gambhir have urged for rule changes to make the game an even contest between bat and ball. It will be interesting to see if the ICC looks into the matter as soon as possible. 

 Like the T20Is, the ODI series too is set for a decider on Sunday, March 28. The game will culminate England’s tour to India. The visitors lost the Test and the T20I series after taking the lead in both formats. 

Also Read: Ind vs Eng 2021, 2nd ODI: Jonny Bairstow-Ben Stokes Pummel Indian Bowlers To Series Levelling Win