Tendulkar calls for 25-over split innings in ODIs

Sachin Tendulkar has come up with a new proposal to save the 50-over format from the Twenty20 wave that threatens its existence, suggesting that one-day internationals be split into four innings of 25-overs-a-side.

"I am for 50-over cricket. I think we should have 25 overs-a-side to start with. I thought of this during the 2002 Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka," the ace batsman said.

"In the final, we ended up playing 110 overs against Sri Lanka. First they played 50 overs and we played 10 overs before the rain interruption. The next day, Sri Lanka again played 50 overs and we played 10 overs and in the end we were declared joint-winners. I thought, 110 overs and still no result," he recalled.

"That is when I thought we should have 25 overs first for one side and then the other. And then once again 25 overs for one side and then the other," he told Times Now.

Tendulkar said such a split would negate the luck factor and tosses would become less crucial.

"Today, we can tell the result of close to 75 per cent of matches after the toss. We know how the conditions will affect the two teams. But it (the idea suggested by him) is not too dependent on the toss because, for example, it's a day-night match then both the teams will have to bat under lights," he added.

"The conditions change very dramatically but this would ensure that it's same for everyone. That's what I think; if they (administrators) take it, it would be great," Tendulkar said.

On the season ahead, he said the team is well-prepared.

"We all have worked hard and we have got things planned. It's a process. We will go step by step before we get to where we want to."