India captain MS Dhoni admits he fears for the future of one-day cricket after watching yet another monstrous successful runchase.
Dhoni hit the winning runs to complete India’s successful chase of Australia’s target of 351, sending their best-of-seven series to a decider in Bangalore on Saturday.
It was the third stunning runchase of the series, in addition to India reeling in a record 360 in Jaipur and Australia clubbing 44 off the final three overs to triumph at Mohali.
But rather than bask in the extraordinary win, Dhoni admitted he was concerned about the direction the game was taking.
“I think it’s something we need to think about,” Dhoni said when asked about the frequency of the high chases.
“Is 350 the new 280, 290 or 300?
“With the new bowlers they are mostly getting smashed.
“Even the fast bowlers are bowling with their third man up and fine leg up.
“I’m not sure where it’s going but if we are chasing like this it is not going to be good for the long-term health of the game.
“Only seeing boundaries and sixes for seven hours?”
No bowler escaped from Wednesday night’s onslaught with their figures intact.
Dhoni admitted his bowlers were left dispirited by the boundaries which fly off the bat – and even joked that bowling machines might be more effective.
“The bowlers actually feel it will be better off to put a bowling machine there,” he said.
“I honestly don’t know what is a good performance now by a bowler.
“10 overs, 80 (runs) is a bad performance or 10 overs 60 is a bad performance or 10 overs 100 is a bad performance?
“That’s what we are still trying to find out.
“The bowlers are facing a huge challenge but as you have seen over the years they adapt faster to the rules than the batsmen.”
His Australian counterpart, George Bailey, said bowlers were getting no help from the conditions or the rules on this tour.
Teams have been faced with flat pitches in every fixture of the seven-match series, and game seven in Bangalore is traditionally the home of scores that start with 300 and rise from there.
“The game has changed a little bit,” he said.
“…The four (fielders) out is really challenging.
“You almost have to give up one side of the field.
“We’re seeing some of the best fast bowlers in the world having to bowl with a short fine leg.
“It makes it hard. I’m not sure if it’s something they adapt to.”
Prosenjit majumdar
Guest
Can someone kindly explain the exact field restriction rules that existed before the '92 world cup?
Prosenjit majumdar
Guest
Seeing the kind of bats they're playing with today,i think ICC should think going back to gd old fielding laws before 1992 cup..
Prosenjit majumdar
Guest
To me,what actually is hurting the bowlers most on batting tracks coupled with fast outfields is the absurd field restriction rules..
Peds
Guest
How about bowling full and straight? I honestly don't think Mitchell Johnson bowled one ball that would have hit the stumps. At one stage they showed the pitch map of his deliveries and 49% of them were short. Not short of a good length: halfway down the track. Its all well and good to complain about fielding restrictions and pitches and bats and short boundaries if you are bowling well and getting smacked around but this has certainly not been the case in this series. Both Australian and Indian bowlers (apart from 1 Mitchell Johnson spell) have been poor.
Rinks
Guest
Correct Rellum agree with you on that, make a good cricketing track where if bowlers put extra efforts gets something extra.
Rinks
Guest
True Brendon I agree, given the conditions there should be no rope, or else bowlers would go on strike....
Brendon the 1st
Guest
Makes you wonder why they put the ropes so far in
Brendon the 1st
Guest
It's good that he's the one saying it as well, seems like a good guy with crickets interest at heart.
Rinks
Guest
There is misconception that Indian's can't bat on green tops they have done so overseas many times winning world cup in England way back in 1983(underdogs), beating the mighty west Indian side, that side was fearsome, both in terms of bowlers & batters, which surprised everyone including west indies. What a side that was, Marshall,Holding,Andy Roberts, can anyone say here there can be a lethal bowling attack in world including today. Where one used to go & other was replacing him not only JUST THAT but fact of the matter is they used to compete against each other who is going to bowl the fastest. Now to complement that attack batters like Haynes, Viv Richards, Clive Lloyd, Larry Gomes.beating them in England was not a fun guys....
Aakash bhat
Guest
Well then they shud stop making roads
Rellum
Roar Guru
More balanced wickets would be nice. Not bringing in the rope 20 metres would be nice too. I would love to see them increase the maximum overs a bowler can bowl to 15 so the batsmen have to face quality bowling all through the innings.
Davros
Guest
Heres a novel idea ...leave some grass on the wicket...this is a direct result of road type flat mud baked wickets...it would be a simple fix....but it would mean india would lose at home ...so it wont be happening anytime soon
Blade Pakkiri
Guest
That so called rubbish pitch in chennai actually lasted for 5 days, but I would guess you welcome the meadows that were rolled out for the Indians and lankans leading to 3 day tests. Curiously these green tops turned to roads against the Saffers. Hypocrisy at its finest.
JGK
Roar Guru
Depends how much you got paid.
Rinks
Guest
True Dizzy I would not that's for sure...
Dizzy G
Guest
What young kid would want to become a bowler when his job is to be cannon fodder??
Rinks
Guest
Just not only rules & pitches , but look at the bats these guys use these days. I wonder what are they made up off. Ten years ago batters were particular about timing & use to hasitate before going aerial, now you would see bat turning in hands while connecting & ball landing in to the crowd. Just amazing, don't bother about timing guys...
Brett McKay
Expert
Very hard to argue with Dhoni on this...
JC
Guest
To me 350 v 350 is not a good game of cricket. The ICC need to change playing regulations to give bowlers more protection. Definitely allow 5 fielders outside the circle and I would allow the bowling side to elect whether they wanted to use 1 new ball or 2 (one from each end). In seam friendly conditions they could capitalise with a second new ball but in batting friendly conditions like in India they could elect to use 1 new ball in the knowledge that it will be harder to hit the older it gets.
Cantab
Guest
Meh... The same things were said 10 years ago when there was a similar patch of high run chases involving more nations. South Africa defended 183 last night and the day before NZ failed to chase down ~260. Indian pitches would be the biggest factor in these results.