Reverse swing returns to ODIs as new rule makes batting harder

ISLAMABAD: Reverse swing has once again become an important weapon in One-Day International cricket after a change in the playing rules.

According to media reports, under the new rule introduced in July 2025, captains can choose one of the two white balls used at either end after 34 overs are completed. This makes the ball older and rougher in the last 16 overs of an innings. The change was meant to give bowlers better opportunities.

What the figures say

According to the figures, after the rule change, more than one degree of swing was seen on half of the fast bowlers’ full-length deliveries in the last 10 overs. This is about 35 per cent higher than the previous rate. Bowlers’ economy rate in the last five overs has also dropped from 8.40 to 7.95 runs per over.

England coach Brendon McCullum, after the defeat against Sri Lanka, advised the players to consider changing their tactics to suit the new situation.

The change could also prove important for several bowlers around the world, including Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah. Shaheen is getting an average of 1.3 degrees of swing in the final overs.

However, the increase in reverse swing is not the same in every country. A marked change has been seen in England, while in South Africa it is still difficult to judge its effects ahead of the coming World Cup.

According to experts, if this trend continues, teams may have to adopt a strategy of scoring more runs in the early part of the innings instead of the final overs.