"Nine fielders inside the 30-yard circle" - When Gautam Gambhir suggested some rule changes to make ODIs interesting

With the ever-growing popularity of the T20I format over the last decade, there have been constant question marks over the relevance of the ODI format. Some experts and former cricketers reckon that one-dayers must completely be done away with, while others feel there's still a place for the 50-over format in the sport.

Sharing his thoughts during a debate on ODIs in November 2023, Team India's current head coach Gautam Gambhir had opined that the format needs to be tweaked to remain relevant. During an interaction with Sportskeeda, he had also suggested a few interesting rule changes, which he felt could make ODIs absorbing again.

The former India opener opined that there should be four powerplays in ODI cricket, which must be divided around the 50 overs. Explaining his idea in detail, the former Delhi batter elaborated:

“In the first 10 overs, there should be nine fielders inside the 30-yard circle. This number should be five for the next 20 overs. From overs 31-40, there should be four fielders inside and from 41-50 only three. Spinners can then be used in the last 10 overs as six fielders are on the boundary.”

Gambhir also suggested an interesting tweak for bowlers. He said that two new balls must be used only for the first 20 overs after which the bowling captain must choose one of the two balls.

“Start with two new balls, but only till 20 overs. After 20 overs, tell the captain to choose one of the two balls and use that one for the next 30 overs. This will aid finger spinners and bowlers will get reverse swing as well," Gambhir had said.

A number of former cricketers and experts have been extremely critical of the use of two new balls in ODI cricket. According to them, such a rule gives the batters a very big advantage over the bowlers.

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Gautam Gambhir had also batted for return of triangular and quadrangular series in ODIs

During the interaction with Sportskeeda, the former Kolkata Knight Riders captain had also batted for the return of triangular and quadrangular series. According to Gambhir, bilaterals were not much fun.

“I loved it. Tri-series and quadrangular series were fun. There is no fun in playing bilateral series. You are just playing against one opposition four-five times. Imagine playing seven-eight ODIs where India, Australia and England are playing or India, Australia, New Zealand,” he had said.

Gambhir played 147 one-dayers for the Men in Blue, scoring 5,238 runs at an average of 39.68, with 11 hundreds and 34 fifties.