Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has recently taken to his Youtube page to request that 2023 World Cup matches begin early to avoid dew which can significantly affect fielding teams.

In fact, the Indian superstar has asked that games begin at 11:30 am rather than the current 1:30pm time slot.

In a video on his Youtube channel, Ashwin claimed that India's first ODI match with Sri Lanka in Guwahati was made a lot closer than it should have been as a result of the dew.

The 36-year-old claimed that the sticky conditions favour the chasing team and in Sri Lanka's case, caused them to get closer to the 373 run total than they otherwise should have been.

"India batted beautifully on a slow wicket and posted a score well above par. Still, they ended up having to fight tooth and nail [to win]," he said.
"The quality difference between the teams isn't coming through - 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 11.30 am during the World Cup?"

Speaking on the potential problem of fewer viewers, Ashwin remains confident that the World Cup will not lose any viewers due to the earlier start times.

"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?" he said.

Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin takes part in a practice session at Galle International Cricket Stadium in Galle on July 24, 2017.
India will play three Tests, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 game in Sri Lanka. The first Test starts on July 26 in Galle. / AFP PHOTO / ISHARA S. KODIKARA (Photo credit should read ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images)

"The recent T20 World Cup was also held in winter, prioritising the summer [for Australia's home bilateral season]. It wasn't the ideal scenario - T20 is a fast-paced game, how can you play it in winter? People will say that's not the case in Australia, but still, we need to prioritise World Cups.

"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 prioritise the World Cup and watch matches at 11.30?"

Ashwin also claimed that players around the world view the dew in India as a significant game-deciding factor.

"ECB recently invited applications for the analyst's position, and - I came to know this through some analysts I know - one of the important questions they asked was, 'How big a factor is dew in Indian conditions in white-ball cricket?'

"They're looking to bring in the best analytical tools possible ahead of the 2023 World Cup, and they've asked all the pertinent questions, so you can see how crucial everyone in world cricket thinks the dew factor is in Indian conditions."