Senior India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin says matches of the ODI World Cup at home later this year should begin earlier in the day to minimise the influence of the dew factor.
For a very long time, dew has been an issue in subcontinental matches, giving an unfair advantage to the teams in pursuit. The possibility of the dew practically means the captain winning the toss selects to field.
In India, day-night ODIs begin at 1:30 pm and run far into the nighttime. The 36-year-old off-spinner thinks the dew is masking the talent gap between the sides. The first One-Day International (ODI) between India and Sri Lanka was used as an example to illustrate his idea.
India was 373 for 7, while Sri Lanka finished at 306 for 8 while chasing. But Ashwin thought that the Indian team’s superiority in the game was not reflected in the score.
”My suggestion – or rather my opinion – for the World Cup is to look at what venues we are playing in, and at what times. Why shouldn’t we start matches at 11.30 am during the World Cup?” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
Before this discussion arose at the conclusion of the 2021 World T20, also in the United Arab Emirates, when the toss seemed to determine events before a ball was ever played. Ashwin disclosed that teams have become suspicious of such strategies, highlighting the need for significant modifications.
The ICC ODI World Cup is expected to return to Asia after a gap of 12 years with the premier competition due to be contested in India later in the year. They won in 2011 when they hosted it, and they have all the makings of a formidable contender for this year’s competition.
The 2019 final between England and New Zealand, though, showed how much luck plays a role in competitions like this. So, Indian veteran Ravichandran Ashwin has pleaded with the world authorities International Cricket Council to adjust match times to account for the merit aspect, so that the most deserving side may ultimately win.
Twitter Reacts:
Not often Ashwin takes sense but this is it. However, can’t see ICC feeling the same way. Late matches mean more viewers and ticket sales https://t.co/Jw44bw86NO
Advertisement— H. (@TwistyBender) January 15, 2023
Thought provoking stuff which in all probability will be given a Royal ignore by the Managing committee https://t.co/SOLQza6xMu
— Vibhav / उर्मिलादेवनाथपुत्र विभव तिवारी (@vibhavarms) January 15, 2023
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Someone from the Cricket fraternity making sense. https://t.co/eTS9HqfyAL
Advertisement— CricShastra (@CricShastra) January 15, 2023
Dew will indeed be a big factor now that the World Cup is in Oct-Nov and not Feb-March https://t.co/9Jyo0OmWtE
— Praful Sohal (@psohal) January 15, 2023
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But fans can go to work half day and come to watch match at 1 30…..
Advertisement— SrivatsavDhoni11 (@Srivatsav_Dhoni) January 15, 2023
No, like Australia in 2021 t20 wcp win all important tosses and win the world cup.
— Raghuraman Srinivasan (@sraghu82) January 15, 2023
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Again play day matches. During my school days I used to watch plenty of day games and now a days day games are not being played because to take advantage of the dew factor.
Advertisement— Vignesh K R (@VigneshKRV23) January 15, 2023
I dont believe in the prime time debate. What if the WC were in Aus? D/N matches wouldve started at 9am IST. Indian audience will watch the WC whatever the time. For ppl coming to the grounds, its a day off either ways.
— Curious jeevi (@curiousjeevi) January 15, 2023
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