In a significant step focused on the solution of growing concerns about the lack of balance between BAT and Ball in one-day international (ODI), the International Cricket Council (ICC) revised the long-term two-day balls in 50-over format. Change, announced 27th June 2025 as part of Main changes of rules in all formatsIt is considered to be a step to restore the balance that many believe have been distorted in favor of the dough for more than ten years.
According to the new ICC regulation, ODI will start with two new balls, but only for the first 34 shifts. Then he chooses one of the two balls on the field – which is in better condition – for use in the last 16 breaks. The aim is to allow the ball more time to wear and tear, thus potentially bring back into the game’s bowling variety of the reverse swing and bowling variety late.
The revised rule of two balls will come into play from 2 July in the ODI series between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
In his official statement ICC said: “Two new balls will be used for the first 34 ODI shifts, after which the Fielding team will choose one of the balls for the remaining exceeding.”
What is the existing rule?
The existing regulation, introduced in October 2011, ordered the use of two new balls – one of each end – ODI shift. As a result, each ball was only 25 overs in the game. While the rule was originally introduced to ensure a clean and hard ball for longer, its unintended consequence was the disappearance of backfill and a reduced role for spinners, especially in decisive death.
Previously, ODIS used a single ball during the shift. The referees would change the ball – typically after 35. Over – only if too much worn or color. This older method made it possible to worsen the ball and return swings, which made bowling unpredictable and efficient.
What do statistics say?
The change of the rule comes against the narrated statistical background. Given that in October 2011 the rules of two new Mív, stunning 415 matches, saw that the sums of the team exceed 300 runs. On the other hand, in four decades, only 335 such high score games were recorded between the first ODI in 1971 and September 2011.
The change in the rule came into force after the ICC cricket committee led by Souravo ganguly issued the recommendations to the Board of Directors.
Former Indian captain Sachin Tendulkar called years ago a regulation of two new balls “a perfect recipe for a disaster”, which claimed that she refused the opportunity to work with older and reversing the ball.
“We haven’t seen Reverse Swing, an integral part of death, long,” Tendulkar said in a post on social media when he promoted a more balanced competition. His opinions were repeated by the former Australian scholarship Brett Lee, who also supported the need for reform.
India Spinner Ravicandran Ashwin also repeatedly tagged this problemLast time on your YouTube Ash Ki Baat channel. “The reverse swing is now gone from the game. The role of the finger has also decreased,” Ashwin said, warning that the 50-ranked format “meanders” and risked that it would become irrelevant unless major changes were made.
Early change before 2027 World Cup?
With the ODI World Cup in South Africa 2027 on the horizon, the ICC intervention is timely. Worldwide concerns about the health and relevance of cricket ODI in the era dominated by the T20 leagues. By allowing ICC more influence, especially in the later stages of shifts, it hopes to revive the interest and competing balance in 50-over format.
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Published:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
27th June 2025
