Why Cricket Needs a New Format: The Case for Split 25

Cricket has always evolved with time. From timeless Test matches to ODIs, from T20s to franchise leagues, the game has constantly reshaped itself to match changing audiences, lifestyles, and expectations. Yet, in this evolution, one imbalance has quietly grown louder: cricket is increasingly becoming a batter’s game.

It may be time for a new format—one that restores balance, respects specialisation, and still keeps the game exciting. Enter Split 25, a format that could redefine modern cricket.

The Problem with Modern Cricket

In today’s game, batters dominate:

• Flat pitches

• Short boundaries

• Impact Player rules

• Powerplays designed for big hitting

Bowlers are expected to contain, defend, and entertain—often with very little margin for error. Yet, ironically, the same bowlers are still expected to bat, sometimes under pressure, despite batting not being their primary skill.

This raises a simple but uncomfortable question:

Is it fair to ask bowlers to bat, when we never ask specialist batters to bowl?

Cricket celebrates specialisation in every department—except this one.

Why Batting Should Be a Choice, Not a Burden

A fast bowler spends years perfecting:

• Line and length

• Swing and seam

• Pace and stamina

Expecting him to suddenly contribute with the bat is like asking a top-order batter to bowl five overs of quality spin or pace. It rarely happens—and when it does, it’s treated as novelty, not expectation.

Cricket should not punish players for specialising.

Split 25 corrects this imbalance by giving preference to batters to bat and bowlers to bowl, without forcing artificial all-round responsibilities.

What Is Split 25?

Split 25 is a format consisting of:

• 25 overs per team

• Two innings per team

• Each innings limited to 5 wickets

That means:

• Teams bat twice

• Once five wickets fall, the innings ends

• Strategy becomes central, not brute force

This structure creates a perfect blend of ODI patience and Test-match tactics, while maintaining a compact, viewer-friendly duration.

Why Two Innings Matter

Two innings bring back what modern limited-overs cricket has lost:

• Adaptability

• Reading conditions

• Tactical adjustments

A batter can’t simply slog through. He must think:

• Do I attack now or preserve wickets?

• Should I anchor this innings or accelerate?

• How do I set up the second innings?

Similarly, bowlers get two chances to influence the game, not just one spell on a flat pitch.

Five Wickets: A Tactical Masterstroke

Limiting each innings to five wickets changes everything.

Batters cannot afford reckless shots.
Bowlers are rewarded for breakthroughs.
Captains must plan bowling changes with precision.

Every wicket becomes valuable—just like in Test cricket—but without the marathon length.

This restores respect for dismissals, something T20 cricket has diluted.

A Format That Respects Bowlers

Split 25 ensures:

• Bowlers are selected primarily to bowl

• Batting depth is intentional, not accidental

• Teams pick specialists, not compromises

The game stops pretending that everyone must do everything.

Instead, it celebrates roles:

• Batters bat

• Bowlers bowl

• All-rounders remain valuable—but not compulsory

That is fairness.

Why Split 25 Makes Cricket More Interesting

For viewers:

• Two innings mean evolving narratives

• Momentum shifts feel earned

• Matches reward intelligence, not just power

For players:

• Greater emphasis on skill

• Reduced pressure on bowlers to “just survive” while batting

• More room for classical batting and disciplined bowling

For cricket itself:

• Balance is restored

• Strategy returns to the centre

• The soul of the game is preserved

Not a Replacement—An Evolution

Split 25 is not meant to replace ODIs, Tests, or T20s. It is a bridge format—combining:

• The patience of Tests

• The structure of ODIs

• The pace modern audiences expect

It respects cricket’s traditions while acknowledging its future.

Cricket Should Be a Contest, Not a Carnival

Cricket was never meant to be a one-sided spectacle. It was designed as a contest between bat and ball, mind and muscle, patience and aggression.

If the game continues to tilt only towards batters, it risks losing its competitive integrity.