ICC New Rules 2025: Two-Ball Rule in ODIs Set for Change – Will Reverse Swing Make a Comeback?

Add as a preferred source on Google

ICC New Rules 2025: In a move that could redefine the balance between bat and ball in the One-Day International (ODI) format, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is seriously considering phasing out the use of two new balls-a rule that has long been the subject of debate among players, pundits, and purists alike.

The proposal, emerging from the ICC's Cricket Committee chaired by former India captain Sourav Ganguly, suggests a notable modification rather than a complete rollback.

Teams would continue to start with two new balls-one from each end-but from the 25-over mark, only one of the balls would be retained for the remainder of the innings. Interestingly, it would be the bowling side that gets to choose which of the two balls they wish to continue with.

The proposal aims to rekindle one of ODI cricket's most thrilling dimensions-reverse swing. With two new balls currently being used, neither has sufficient time to wear enough to allow for reverse swing, something that has notably disappeared from the final overs of modern-day 50-over matches. This shift in dynamics, critics argue, has tilted the game too heavily in favour of batters.

The voices for change have only grown louder over the years. None more so than the Little Master himself, Sachin Tendulkar, who famously said on social media, "Having two new balls in one day cricket is a perfect recipe for disaster as each ball is not given the time to get old enough to reverse. We haven't seen reverse swing, an integral part of the death overs, for a long time."

Tendulkar's sentiment has been echoed by pace legends like Brett Lee, who have long advocated for conditions that give bowlers a fighting chance, particularly in the death overs where reverse swing used to be a feared weapon in a pacer's arsenal.

The two-ball rule, introduced in 2011, was initially meant to preserve the shine and visibility of the white ball throughout the innings. However, it also inadvertently erased the strategic challenge of managing the wear and tear of a single ball-one that historically added depth and nuance to ODI cricket. With each ball currently lasting just 25 overs, reverse swing is all but extinct, much to the dismay of bowling enthusiasts.

Ganguly's Cricket Committee appears to have done its research. The logic is simple-under the new guideline, the retained ball would be roughly 37 to 38 overs old by the end of the innings, compared to the current 25-over lifespan. Not old enough to be disfigured, but just aged enough to bring swing and subtlety back into play. The move is expected to be tabled for further discussion during the ongoing ICC meetings in Zimbabwe.

And that's not all on the ICC's agenda.

The global cricketing body is also exploring a significant procedural change in Test cricket-introducing in-game clocks to keep over rates in check. Much like the white-ball formats where clocks have already helped speed up play, the idea here is to enforce a 60-second limit between overs in the longest format of the game. The objective? To ensure 90 overs are bowled in a day, preserving the integrity and pacing of Test matches.

This proposed addition has its share of supporters, especially among fans and broadcasters frustrated by the frequent slow over rates and lost time in the game's traditional format. If approved, the ticking clock might just become Test cricket's newest umpire-silent but strict.

Lastly, the ICC is also examining the future of the Under-19 Men's World Cup, with a bold idea on the table: shifting it to the T20 format. While some traditionalists argue for retaining its 50-over identity, a growing segment believes that aligning with the women's U19 T20 World Cup-already held successfully in South Africa (2023) and Malaysia (2025)-makes logical sense.

The shift to T20 would also mirror the trajectory of senior international cricket, where the shortest format has skyrocketed in popularity and visibility. However, any structural overhaul of the Under-19 event would only come into effect in the next broadcast cycle, beginning in 2028.

As the ICC meets in Zimbabwe to debate these pivotal issues, cricket fans around the globe wait with bated breath. From rekindling reverse swing to managing time better in Tests, and aligning youth formats with modern trends-the world body seems ready to reshape the way we play, watch, and experience cricket.

In many ways, these proposed changes signal an ICC that's listening-to players, fans, and the evolving demands of the modern game. And if reverse swing does return to the death overs in ODIs, thanks to this new approach? Sachin Tendulkar might finally breathe a little easier.