The world's leading batsman Sachin Tendulkar of India has suggested that 50-over one-day internationals be split in two innings of 25 overs each to revive interest in the game. With the growing popularity of Twenty20 cricket threatening to overshadow the 50-over format, the former India captain said the idea would also provide similar conditions to both teams.
"Today, we can tell the result of close to 75 per cent of matches after the toss. We know how conditions will affect the two teams," Tendulkar told the Times Now channel late Friday. "But it (splitting the game) 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. The conditions change very dramatically, but this would ensure that it's the same for everyone." "First, they played 50 overs and we played two before the rain interruption. The next day (reserve day), Sri Lanka again played 50 overs and we played eight. In the end, we were declared joint winners," he said.