Worst thing that has happened in white-ball cricket is introduction of two new balls: Gautam Gambhir

Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir has never been the one to mince words and has fired criticism at the International Cricket Council (ICC). He pointed out a rule change that has destroyed the art of spin bowling in ODI cricket. Gambhir showed his disapproval towards the decision to allow teams to take a new ball from each end after 25 overs.

The rule allowing two new balls was introduced in ODIs in 2011 with the intention of having a harder, newer ball available in the back end of the innings to inspire more exciting power hitting. However, the 42-year-old feels it has come at great cost by making life exceptionally difficult for finger spinners.

“The worst thing that has happened in white-ball cricket is the introduction of two new balls. The reason why I say that is because you have taken away the entire skill of a finger spinner from a game, whether it be a left-arm spinner or an off-spinner,” said Gambhir on Kutti Stories with Ashwin.

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I think the ICC has messed up: Gautam Gambhir

The current Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mentor believes the inability to properly grip and spin the older ball has cost Ravichandran Ashwin and Nathan Lyon years of their white-ball careers. 

“I’ve said it everywhere. This rule has taken away two of the best finger spinners in the world, who should have played more white-ball cricket, you (Ashwin) and Nathan Lyon. The reason why you guys didn’t play was because there was nothing for you, against all these odds on a flat track with power hitters on a shirt boundary, and with DRS as well," he added.

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The former opener put the whole blame on the ICC for failing to nurture all types of bowlers. He asked the governing body to look at the same and bring implementations in the future.

“The job of the ICC is to promote every kind of bowler who wants to become an off-spinner or a finger-spinner. I think the ICC has messed up. Hopefully, they can change it going forward and have just one ball used for the entire 50 overs of an ODI match," he concluded.