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Mumbai: When he speaks about cricket, the world listens. And now, Sachin Tendulkar has waded into the debate over the future of the 50-over game. More Pictures
His suggestion? To save One-Day Internationals from extinction, revamp them by giving both sides two innings of 25 overs each. Think of it as a sort of 'Test T-25'!
Tendulkar told Times Now on Friday that he thought of the idea as far back as 2002, when a Champions Trophy final between India and Sri Lanka could not be completed despite 110 overs of cricket over two days. ( Watch Video )
"First they played 50 overs and we played two overs before the rain interruption. The next day, Sri Lanka again played 50 overs and we played eight. In the end we were declared joint winners. I thought, 110 overs and still no result! That is when I thought, we should have 25 overs first for one side and then the other. And then once again 25 overs for one side and then the other."
Tendulkar said such a split would ensure increased excitement and closer games, since it would negate the luck factor of the toss and ensure a level playing field for both sides in case of day-night games, when batting becomes difficult under lights.
"Today, we can tell the result of close to 75% of matches after the toss. We know how conditions will affect the two teams. But it (splitting the game into two innings) 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," Tendulkar said.
With Twenty20's increasing popularity threatening to cut into the viewership of ODIs, the ICC is keen to pull out all the stops and renew public interest in the One-day game ahead of the Champions Trophy later this month. Sachin said the game's administrators would do well to consider tweaking the format.
"The conditions change very dramatically but (adopting) this (split format) would ensure that it's the same for everyone. All those things are there, I was just thinking about it. Maybe if they (the administrators) take it, then not bad," Tendulkar said.
