The world's leading batsman Sachin Tendulkar of India has suggested that 50-over one-day internationals be split in two innings of 25 overs each to revive interest in the game.
With the growing popularity of Twenty20 cricket threatening to overshadow the 50-over format, the former India captain said the idea would also provide similar conditions to both teams.
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| Sachin Tendulkar |
“Today, we can tell the result of close to 75 per cent of matches after the toss. We know how conditions will affect the two teams,” Tendulkar told the Times Now channel late Friday.
“But it (splitting the game) is not too dependent on the toss because if, for example, it's a day-night match, then both the teams will have to bat under lights.
“In those 25 overs you can use your 10 wickets the way you want. Suppose if it rains, then also you can plan. The conditions change very dramatically, but this would ensure that it's the same for everyone.” Tendulkar, the world's top scorer in Tests (12,773) and one-dayers (16,684), said he thought of the idea in 2002 when India and Sri Lanka had to share the Champions Trophy in Colombo following the rain-hit final.
“First, they played 50 overs and we played two before the rain interruption. The next day (reserve day), Sri Lanka again played 50 overs and we played eight. In the end, we were declared joint winners,” he said.
“I thought, 110 overs and still no result. That's when I thought we should have 25 overs each for both sides and then 25 overs each again.” The debate over the future of one-day cricket has grown after the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) last month abandoned their domestic 50-over competition from 2010. |
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