The Indian skipper, Rohit Sharma said he liked the idea of day-night games in Cricket World Cup 2023 starting earlier than usual in order to reduce the impact of the dew factor that might come into play and swing the balance in favor of the chasing team. However, the skipper conceded that it’s the broadcasters who get to decide the timings of the matches. Speaking to the press, Rohit Sharma said that on the eve of the ODI series against New Zealand in Hyderabad, he talked about the suggestion from R Ashwin for the early start for World Cup games.
The World Cup 2023, which will be played in October-November, might witness stadiums having a lot of dew, especially in the latter half of day-night games. The day-night game in India gets underway at 1:30 pm and the matches go well into the prime time viewing hours. In fact, the day-night ODI matches in India were underway at 2:30 pm IST until a few years ago.
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As per the quotes in India Today, Rohit Sharma said, “I mean, it’s a good idea because you don’t want to… you don’t want to compromise too much on the toss factor, it’s a World Cup. You don’t want to completely take that away. I like the idea of an early start. But I don’t know if it’s possible. The broadcasters will decide what time the games should start (laughs).”
He further added, “But, ideally, you don’t want such advantages in the game. You want good cricket to be played without one having the advantage of batting under lights with the dew. Those are the things that are not in your control, but I like the idea of an early start.”
As Rohit Sharma pointed out, the broadcasters will be expected to not agree for pushing the game to an earlier time as it might affect viewership. However, R Ashwin argued that people would tune in to watch the matches from 11:30 am, considering it’s the World Cup.
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In the latest video on his Youtube channel, R Ashwin said, “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 ICC knows very well that there will be dew, so let’s advance the game, and if we start at 11.30 am, the dew factor won’t come into the game, and why not? Won’t all cricket fans prioritize the World Cup and watch matches at 11.30?”
India will take on New Zealand in the first of a 3-match ODI series in Hyderabad from 1:30 pm IST on Wednesday, January 18.
