Indian ODI captain Rohit Sharma has called for day-night clashes at the upcoming World Cup to be brought forward, stressing that conditions under lights unfairly favour sides batting second.
With day-night contests for the tournament scheduled to commence at 1:30 pm (local time) and conclude at 9 pm, outfield dew has become the norm as matches have worn on, presenting conditions that allow chasing sides a competitive edge.
As dew on the surface not only allows for a quicker outfield but also a heavy ball, teams setting a target to track down under lights have largely proven successful in their pursuits.
The chasing XI's ability to bowl with a dry ball and protect boundaries on a slower outfield also skews what should be an even playing field in the 35-year-old's eyes.
Though the notion of bringing clashes forward to an 11:30 am start would, feasibly, allow for each side to bat and bowl in similar conditions, Rohit was under no allusions as to why the prime time slots had been opted for.
"I mean, it [having an early start] is a good idea because it's a World Cup, right?," the skipper was quoted by ESPN Cricinfo.
"You don't want to compromise too much on the toss factor and you want to take that [advantage] completely away. I like that idea of an early start, but I don't know if it's possible.
"The broadcasters will decide what time the game should start [laughs]. But ideally, you don't want that sort of advantage in the game. You want to see good cricket being played without one side having the advantage of batting under lights with the dew. But those are the things that are not in your control. But I like the idea of an early start."
Indian finger-spinner Ravi Ashwin also threw his two rupees in, stating that earlier fixtures would benefit more parties than they would obstruct.
"The quality difference between the teams isn't coming through," Ashwin said.
"Dew is narrowing that gap if you happen to lose the toss. My suggestion - or rather my opinion - for the World Cup is to look at what venues we are playing in, and at what times. Why shouldn't we start matches at 11.30am during the World Cup? Won't all cricket fans prioritise the World Cup and watch matches at 11.30?"
While Rohit's qualms have held wait in the recent past, the task of defending a hefty total proved within reach on Wednesday night when India took down New Zealand in Hyderabad during the first of three ODIs.
The hosts held off the world-leading Kiwis by 12 runs in a defence built off Shubman Gill's brilliant double-century. The opener bludgeoned his way to a total of 208 from 149 balls which included 28 boundaries.
Though Michael Bracewell's latest quick-fire ton brought the Blackcaps back into contention, Hardik Pandya's death bowling prevented red faces in the home dressing room.
