“That is when I thought, we should have 25 overs first for one side and then the other, and then once again 25 overs for one side and then the other. Today, we can tell the result of close to 75% of matches after the toss. We know how the conditions will affect the two teams. But it [his idea] is not too dependent on the toss because, for example, in a day-night match both the teams will have to bat under lights. The conditions change very dramatically but this would ensure that it’s same for everyone.”

Tendulkar’s statement that “Today, we can tell the result of close to 75% of matches after the toss is incorrect”

Ric Finlay, one of the distinguished member of ACS England, has this to say regarding Tendulkar’s statement

In a recent news article, Cricinfo has quoted Sachin Tendulkar thus: “Today, we can tell the result of close to 75% of matches after the toss”. In the article Tendulkar is said to be in favour of splitting each innings in ODIs to reduce the “advantage” gained in winning the toss.

In the 2759 ODIs that have come to a definite conclusion, the side winning the toss has won 1406 times, less than 51%. Since 2000, the corresponding figures are 640 out of 1221 matches (52.4%), and since 2005, 314 out of 601 (52.2%). Even in the last 12 months, it has been 58 out of 115. I would suggest winning the toss is not a determinant of the result of the match, one way or the other, which is as it should be.

Perhaps Sachin, after doing his research, has decided that these percentages are close to 75%.

It is a pity that cricketing notables make these claims, because the fawning public tend to believe them, and as a consequence, there is pressure put on administrators to make bad decisions.

Can someone put him right?

Ric