‘I have spoken to a few spinners and..’- Sachin Tendulkar voices concerns about batting-friendly field restrictions in ODI cricket

Cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar has raised concerns about the current format of One Day International (ODI) cricket, stating that it has become “monotonous” due to the use of two new balls. He believes that the current format, which has been in place for a while, has eliminated the possibility of reverse swing, making it more difficult for bowlers to take wickets.

“When you have two new balls, it eliminates reverse swing,” Tendulkar said at India Today Conclave 2023. “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. There was a bit of discolouration and the ball got softer. When the ball starts discolouring, to pick the shiny and the rough side becomes difficult. That element is missing today because of two new balls.”

Bowlers don’t have protection- Tendulkar

Tendulkar also pointed out that the field restrictions in the current format of the game are batting-friendly, leaving spin bowlers with no freedom to change their lines. “Also for spinners, I have spoken to a few spinners. I was trying to understand their mindset with 5 fielders in the ring. The bowlers are saying that we don’t have the freedom to change our lines. Even if we know that there is a possibility of the batter making the mistake, if we change our line then we might have to pay a heavy price. They don’t have the protection now in the current format.”

The cricketing legend further added that the current format heavily favors the batsmen and makes it challenging for bowlers with 5 fielders in the ring and 2 new balls. The lack of discolouration also makes it harder for batsmen to pick the shiny and rough sides of the ball, resulting in a less dynamic and less exciting game.

Tendulkar’s comments come at a time when there is growing concern among cricket enthusiasts about the imbalance between bat and ball in the ODI format. The Governing Body of International cricket has been experimenting with new rules and formats to make the game more balanced and exciting, but Tendulkar’s remarks suggest that there is still more work to be done.

Tendulkar’s concerns about the current format of ODI cricket should be taken seriously by the Governing Body for International Cricket and other cricketing bodies. The game must be balanced between bat and ball to maintain its excitement and appeal to fans worldwide. While new formats and rules may be necessary, the Governing Body of International Cricket must find a way to strike a balance that rewards both batsmen and bowlers and keeps cricket fans engaged and entertained.