Three current India players have individually admitted to TOI in the last couple of weeks that given the nature of wickets in the sub-continent, bowlers who thrive on the art of reverse swing and spin, will suffer because of the rule.
"I would particularly emphasize that it does not affect anybody else as much as those who play in the subcontinent. Reverse swing is a crucial aspect and that goes completely missing," a player said ahead of the ongoing ODI series against Australia. Another player added that spin is most crucial for sub-continent bowlers as they bowl almost half of the 50 overs if not more.
India played the Champions Trophy with these rules and made good use of the resources available simply because conditions allowed them to. "But when playing in the sub-continent, this rule doesn't make sense," the third player said.
These players are also convinced that there is a section of international cricketers from the sub-continent who also think on the same lines. The two new-balls rule is presently at an experimental stage and is yet to be voted into the ICC rulebook for ODIs.
The ICC's year-end meeting is scheduled in London this week and India will be represented by BCCI president N Srinivasan's Man Friday, Sundar Raman. It is to be seen if Raman — himself a self-proclaimed cricket enthusiast — will take up the matter, with the support of other sub-continental board members and Zimbabwe — the only other nation against the rule. TOI had reported that BCCI had already decided on voting against the rule and would be writing to the ICC about the same.
In a meeting last month, ICC had failed to pass any resolution regarding the law. The motion was supported by England, Australia and New Zealand, but the Indian Board, along with Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe voted against it. West Indies and South Africa abstained from voting. ICC regulations say any resolution needs "two-thirds of the aggregate number of votes exercisable by the full member committee" to be passed.
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