Expert Blog

An adrenaline jab for the ODI game

Our expert has some interesting suggestions to let the ODI game hold its own up against the traditional Test and the fast-paced Twenty20 formats.

The ODI game has to be livened up so that it offers a clear in-between choice between Tests and T20. Outlined below are some suggestions.
 
1. Allow two bowlers to bowl upto 25% of the maximum overs. 25% has been suggested so that for reduced matches, say 36 overs, this will become a round figure. Of course, for 50 overs it does not matter whether it is 24% or 25%.
 
2. Have the first 15 overs as Powerplay overs and then have a single restriction of 4 fielders inside the ring for the next 35 overs. Let the batting team improvise. Let them find the gaps and run well between the wickets. Sixes can still be hit.

3. However, if the Batting Powerplay is to be continued, ensure that it is completed before the 40th over so that the middle overs are infused with more life.
 
4. Remove the free-hit rule. It imposes a double penalty on the bowler. If a team bowls 6 no balls in an innings, they end up with 12 balls in which they cannot capture a wicket. This is too heavy a penalty.
 
5. Implement the off side wide rule correctly in that a ball should be called a wide only if it cannot be played. Similarly, a ball pitching on leg stump and moving away should not be called a wide. On the other hand, be strict in calling the above waist-high balls. Streamline the bouncers, above waist height and above shoulder height delivery situations.
 
6. If the score ends in a tie, declare a winner based on the scoring rate. In the unlikely event of equality in scoring rate, use the wickets which have been lost as the criteria.

7. Implement the Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS) immediately for all matches. Make it mandatory. I am sure there would be Indian companies queuing up to sponsor the same globally. Restrict the number of unsuccessful appeals to 3 per team for the match, for both the batting and bowling innings together. Let the teams decide when they want to take these.
 
8. If there is value in the proposal to split the innings into two parts, do it as 30 + 20 rather than 25 + 25. This will allow a reasonable innings to be built. Of course many factors such as fielding restrictions, Powerplay, new ball rules, bowler limits et al should be taken care of. One major advantage with this split is that teams would be encouraged to play 5 bowlers. It will also lessen the impact of winning the toss.
 
9. Remove the match fee fine for slow over-rates. Someone like Dhoni earns that fine in 15 minutes. Stop the innings at the designated time (plus stoppage time) and allow the second batting team the full overs, to start with. Keep a similar watch for the second innings also.

10. The following suggestions apply to all the forms of the game. Once a fielder hits the stumps, declare the ball as a dead ball. Why should a good fielding effort be penalized? Also, remove the replay nonsense which happens at the boundary rope. If a fielder manages to keep the ball inside the rope allow that as a save irrespective of his position.

It can be seen that most of these changes would reduce the imbalance between batting and bowling. This has been done realizing that a 250/240 scoreline makes for a much better match than a 350/300 scoreline.