ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Former Indian cricketer R Ashwin has blasted the ICC, claiming that the 50-over format’s use of two balls and five fielders within the circle were designed to lessen the team’s spin advantage. While analyzing the suspenseful ICC Champions Trophy 2025 match between Afghanistan and England, he made these strange comments during the ‘Ash Ki Baat’ discussion on his YouTube channel.

Additionally, he believed that the 50-over format should reinstate the second new ball rule and allow an additional fielder within the circle.

He also discussed how the current mega-event’s group stage matchups had become monotonous. Ashwin was cited on his YouTube channel as stating, “I was wondering whether there is any future for ODI cricket before this Afghanistan versus England match.”

“Let’s be very honest about it. Because T20Is are over in four hours, there is a lot of crowding and excessive consumption. Once teams like Afghanistan’s first-class system improve, I think Test cricket would perform better,” he remarked.

‘nullify India’s spin supremacy’ by rule

In addition to making strange assertions, Ashwin disclosed that the new guidelines in this format were designed to lessen India’s spin advantage. He emphasized how using two balls has lessened the impact of a reverse swing in order to make his claims.

However, there is no fight in ODI. One ball was used for ODI cricket till 2013–14. Prior to 2015, a new regulation that permitted five fielders in the circle and added two balls was in place. That regulation, in my opinion, was intended to counteract India’s dominance in spin. That’s simply my opinion. That, in my opinion, is having a significant effect on the game. because the game no longer uses backward swing. Additionally, the role of finger spin was diminished,” he said.

He also emphasized how difficult it would be for the ICC to host the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa because of the format’s creeping decline. Additionally, he recommended that the red ball be used in ODIs going forward.

The 50-over World Cup in South Africa in 2027 will provide the ICC with significant obstacles. A decision about it is about to be made. The game is dragging since it is moving so slowly. I would want to know whether 50 overs have a place in today’s cricket match. till this England vs. Afghanistan match. It was so boring, this Champions Trophy. “There was a period of time when the red ball was utilized for play. He came to the conclusion that it was time to think carefully about this specific game type.