If we start at 11.30 am in WC, dew factor won't come into the game: Ashwin

The matches in the subcontinent have had a predictable set of results for the longest time, with dew determining the results more than anything else. Even though there is a call for matches to be played a bit earlier, that has landed on deaf ears with broadcasters showing no eagerness to reduce the screentime in the evening - when the TRPs always tend to be on the higher side.

However, Ashwin suggested that during the World Cups, there wouldn’t be a drop in numbers and matches should start early in order to reduce the unfair advantage that chasing teams get.

"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]. The quality difference between the teams isn't coming through - dew is narrowing that gap if you happen to lose the toss,” Ashwin said on his Youtube Channel.

"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?"

As a matter of fact, the ICC 50-Over World Cup will be played later this year in India during the October-November window when the winter would be making its presence. Dew would be a common occurrence and as the tournament goes on, its impact would grow further.

"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 asked. "The recent T20 World Cup was also held in winter, prioritizing the summer [for Australia's home bilateral season]. It wasn't the ideal scenario - T20 is a fast-paced game, so 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?"

Giving an example of how ECB is preparing their side for the dew conditions, Ashwin said weathering it down to a minimum is the key to better cricket and reducing the role of the toss.

"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."