ICC May Adopt Ganguly’s Call for Single Ball Rule in ODIs
Former India captain and ex-BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has recommended a fundamental change to rejuvenate One Day Internationals (ODIs), a format he believes has been losing its charm due to current regulations. Ganguly highlighted that the use of two new balls from either end has negated reverse swing and made it easier for batters to dominate the game. “Get one ball from one end for 50 overs. The ball will reverse, the spinners will come into play. Let there be an equal balance between bat and ball,” he said, underlining the need to revive the strategic depth of ODI cricket.
ICC Considers Single-Ball Rule from 34th Over
Acting on Ganguly’s suggestion, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is actively evaluating a revised playing condition wherein ODIs will begin with two new balls but switch to a single ball from the 34th over onward. The fielding side will have the option to choose one of the two balls used earlier, and that selected ball will be used till the end of the innings. This change, expected to be implemented from July 2025, aims to reintroduce the traditional wear and tear factor, encouraging reverse swing and enhancing bowler effectiveness in the latter overs of the game.
More Changes on the Horizon
Besides the proposed ball rule modification, the ICC is also reviewing multiple aspects of ODI regulations. Updates being considered include changes to concussion substitution rules, DRS applications, and boundary catch decisions. These deliberations signal the ICC’s intent to modernize ODI cricket while retaining its classic competitive spirit. With increasing calls from players and experts to preserve the format’s relevance, Ganguly’s intervention may prove pivotal in shaping the next phase of 50-over cricket.
