Rohit Sharma backs Ashwin’s idea of an early start for 2023 ODI World Cup matches | Cricket News

NEW DELHI: India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin‘s idea of an early start in the ODI World Cup matches got full support from his skipper Rohit Sharma who too wants it so that no one has to compromise too much on the toss factor.
Rohit, who does not want any team to gain undue advantage in a major event, backed Ashwin who had proposed an 11:30 am start for the World Cup games to be played in India in October-November. Normally, the one-dayer starts at 1:30pm in India.

“It is a good idea. It is a World Cup right. You don’t want to compromise too much on the toss factor. You want to completely take that away. I like the idea of an early start but don’t know if it is possible. The broadcasters will decide (laughs),” said Rohit ahead of the first ODI against New Zealand in Hyderabad on Wednesday.
It becomes difficult for the bowlers to grip the ball when dew covers the field in the evening, making batting easier for the chasing team.
“Ideally you don’t want to see teams getting advantage of dew. You want to see cricket being played without one having an advantage of batting under lights with dew around.”
However, the broadcasters who pay big money to get the media rights are expected to have the final say on the subject.
Earlier on Sunday, Ashwin cited the example of India’s first ODI against Sri Lanka in Guwahati, where the Rohit Sharma-led side defended a mammoth 373 to win by 67 runs. “India batted brilliantly on a slow wicket and posted a score well above par. But they still ended up having to fight tooth and nail (to win against Sri Lanka).
“The quality difference between the teams isn’t coming through – dew is narrowing that gap if you happen to lose the toss. My suggestion – or rather my opinion – for the (ODI) 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?” he said in a video on his Youtube channel.

Though an 11:30am start may not be ideal for the broadcasters, Ashwin believes that fans would be ready in time to watch World Cup matches regardless of their timing. “Immediately people will bring up television viewers and broadcasters, and say that people won’t latch on and watch at that time, but would they not latch on to World Cup matches?
“The recent (Men’s) T20 World Cup was also held in winter, prioritising the summer (for Australia’s home season). It wasn’t the ideal scenario – T20 is a fast-paced game, how can you play it in winter? People will say that’s not the case in Australia, but still, we need to prioritise World Cups.”
“The ICC knows very well that there will be dew, so let’s advance the game, and if we start at 11.30am, the dew factor won’t come into the game at all, and why not? Won’t all cricket fans prioritise the World Cup and watch matches at 11:30am?” he elaborated.
(With inputs from Agencies)