Tendulkar writes to the ICC, asks for change in ODI format

Sachin suggests changes in ODI format in letter to Lorgat.

India’s batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar, who had earlier spoken about a revamped version of ODI cricket in a television interview, has now written a letter to the ICC CEO Haroon Lorgat for the same and wants the ICC to make “a radical switch” from 50 overs a side to four 25-over innings.

With the rising popularity of Twenty20 and test cricket holding its place as ultimate form of cricket, the 50-over format seems to have lost its sheen in the process and is perceived to be on a decline. But with Tendulkar coming up with methods to resurrect ODI cricket, the 50-over game can still regain its lost glory and the stand the test of times.

“I have been capturing my thoughts on what I think would be the way forward to ensure that all three formats in the game co-exist and ensure value creation,” he wrote in the letter.

Tendulkar, the world’s leading run-getter in the ODI format, argued in his letter that four alternate innings of 25 overs for each side would be the fairest way to balance a contest and would help negate the undue advantage gained by a team that won the toss when pitch and weather conditions means that a match can virtually be decided by the spin of a coin.

Apart from reducing the number of overs per innings, Tendulkar’s letter has also proposed changes in the voluntary Powerplays.

In each block of 25-overs, Tendulkar wants only two Powerplays at the behest of the batting side but suggested that up to four bowlers should be allowed up to 12 overs each, rather than the present limit of 10.

With the amount of day-night ODI cricket being played these days, the dew factor can always creep in to change the balance of a contest. The wet ball can be hard to grip during the second innings, thus, helping the side batting second as was seen during the World Cup this year with England achieving a tie against India in a humdinger in Bangalore.

When the first time Tendulkar proposed this four 25-over innings format, the idea was seriously considered by Cricket Australia and it was implemented in their inter-state one day tournament, the Ryobi Cup, which was played 45 overs a side, split into two alternate innings of 20 overs followed by two of 25.

The format was rated as a success as there were more close finishes, more runs, more wickets and had a greater mass appeal.

With a legend like Sachin strongly advocating the need of a revamped ODI format, Haroon Lorgat and his team would do well to discuss the new changes the next time they sit for an ICC board meeting.