Former Indian keeper-batter and commentator Dinesh Karthik has slammed the Indian and the West Indies players for their poor over-rate in the third and final ODI in New Chandigarh on Saturday, October 3.
As India secured the three-match ODI series 2-1, both sides suffered an in-game penalty for not able to complete their overs on time. Interestingly, the game was dragged to nine hours instead of actual seven hours.
“Yes, it’s nine hours, and I do feel that it is a bit long. I do think ICC and everyone involved should clamp down on why does it take for a 50-over game to go 9 hours. Ideally, it should be 7 hours with a break in between as well. Even if you extend it to 8 hours, it is okay,” Dinesh Karthik said on Cricbuzz.
“In this day and age, when we are trying to shrink everything and make it shorter, I don’t think it makes sense to have a one-day game for 9 hours, and then on the other hand we are constantly asking why ODI cricket is failing, why no one is interested in being part of this format. This is the reason. I think the pace of play needs to be looked at. Yes, it is a hot day, that is a given, but to have a game go on for 9 hours is not helping this format stay afloat,” he added.
On the other hand, former Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane, who was also part of the same discussion, also shared his views on the slow-over rate concern by both teams in the third ODI, adding that players need to do better.
“It felt like this match went on for 2 days, it felt that long. Actually, the match was really good. But the way it went on for so long, you have to see it from the fans’ point of view as well. Some strict rules have to be introduced, it is the players’ and the ICC’s responsibility to implement and follow the rules,” Rahane said on Cricbuzz.
