Rohit Sharma Supports Early World Cup Starts in 2023
Ashwin's proposal to lessen the effect of dew on day-night ODIs has the support of India's captain.
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In order to lessen the effects of the dew factor and create more balanced games, Rohit Sharma is in favour of early starts during the ODI World Cup in India.
Day-night ODIs in India begin at 1:30 p.m. and end at 9:00 p.m., which is prime television time and benefits the BCCI and the broadcasters by increasing viewership. The chasing side, on the other hand, gets to bowl in dry conditions in the afternoon and bat when the dew gets the ball moist in the evening, making it easier to score, according to Rohit.
"I mean, it [having an early start] is a good idea because it's a World Cup, right?," Rohit said on the eve of the ODI series opener against New Zealand in Hyderabad. "You don't want to compromise too much on the toss factor and you want to take that [advantage] completely away. I like that idea of an early start, but I don't know if it's possible.
"The broadcasters will decide what time the game should start [laughs]. But ideally you don't want that sort of advantage in the game. You want to see good cricket being played without one side having the advantage of batting under lights with the dew. But those are the things that are not in your control. But I like the idea of an early start."
India was conscious of the dew effect during the first One Day International against Sri Lanka in Guwahati and demonstrated greater intent while batting first to amass a possibly dew-proof total of 373.
Ashwin, an offspinner for India, proposed an earlier start time for World Cup matches after that match, claiming that given the stakes involved, an 11.30 am start time wouldn't necessarily reduce viewing.
Statements by Ashwin
"The quality difference between the teams isn't coming through," Ashwin said. "Dew is narrowing that gap if you happen to lose the toss. 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 11.30am during the World Cup? Won't all cricket fans prioritise the World Cup and watch matches at 11.30?"
Due to dew and a quick outfield, the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad is renowned for favouring teams that chase. However, there was little dew on Tuesday night as India's players practised on the main field and had a net session at a nearby facility about 6 o'clock. Nevertheless, the dew continued to be a topic of conversation, even among the foreigners. Tom Latham, the captain of New Zealand, claimed that it was an issue not just in India but throughout the entire world.
Statements by Tom Latham
"I haven't given a huge amount of thought to the change of match timings, but I think you see around the world at night time in different conditions where the ball does dew up or the ground does dew up," Latham said. "And sometimes it can get hard to hold onto the ball and it does get a little bit slippery, but that's something we're presented with in international cricket where you've got to be able to be flexible to bowl with the wet ball or field in those conditions. You got to ride with whatever conditions you're faced with and that's adapting to the conditions as best as possible."
