Sachin Tendulkar on ODI cricket: 'It is getting monotonous without any doubt'

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India legend Sachin Tendulkar has admitted that ODI cricket is getting monotonous. The former India opener has also explained the reasons behind it.

Tendulkar has reckoned that the two news balls in the current ODI format eliminates reverse swing. He also added that due to lack of discolouration, batters don't find it easy to pick the shiny and rough sides of the ball.

"It's getting monotonous without any doubt. There are two parts. One is the current format and the next is which I feel it should be played. Let me talk about the current format which has been there for a while now has two new balls. When you have two new balls, it eliminates reverse swing. Even though we are in the 40th over of the game, it's actually the 20th over of that ball," Sachin Tendulkar said at India Today Conclave 2023.

"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," he added.

He also pointed out that the field restrictions are also batting-friendly and leave spinners with no freedom.

"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 current format is heavy on the bowlers. it's challenging with 5 fielders in the ring and 2 new balls," he added.

Sachin Tendulkar suggests new format for ODI cricket

To make the 50-over format of the game interesting, the 49-year-old also suggested that ODI cricket be played in four halves of 25 overs each. The modifications according to Tendulkar will reduce predictability and give equal chances for both the teams.

"Coming to the second bit, we should be playing 25 overs first. Divide it into 4 halves, like Test cricket. In Test cricket you have 20 wickets, here you only have 10 wickets. If you are dismissed, you are out of the game for the next 25 overs as well. You can't come back and bat.

"Why I am saying this because we played a tournament in Sri Lanka where we played 118 overs without any result. First day, Sri Lanka batted first and we played 10 overs, the match was rained out. The match was again called off on the following day. We almost played 118 overs without any result.

"Here, if you have 25 overs and the other side comes and bats 25 overs, here at least each side has completed 25 overs.

"Right now, the game is becoming too predictable. From the 15th over to 40th over, there is not enough momentum. There are not enough eyeballs. It's getting boring. How do we balance that out?

"How do we balance out the dew factor? If a captain has lost the toss, if he has to bowl second in wet conditions, it becomes really, really difficult.

When you play 25 overs each, you can also get three breaks. With a spin of a coin, you can't really decide the game.

With franchise T20 cricket gaining momentum all over the world, ODI cricket is slowly losing its charm. Fans are also getting more attracted to the shortest format of the game which ends in three fours approximately and is full of fours, sixes and electric fielding efforts. There have been a lot of discussions over the future of Test cricket as well, but it continues to survive with top teams getting involved in the final session and last over finishes.