Sachin Tendulkar wants 25 teams to participate in the ICC world cup 2019

Sachin Tendulkar wants 25 teams to participate in the ICC world cup 2019: International Cricket Council’s decision to reduce the number of participating teams in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 has been termed as a ‘backward step’ by Indian batting legend and World Cup ambassador Sachin Tendulkar.

Sachin Tendulkar spoke to an audience at the private dinner in Sydney where he said that the ICC should explore ways to expand to 25 teams the next World Cup. He also said that the lack of consistent matches available for the associate members as ‘unfair’.

Tendulkar said “I found out the next World Cup would only be ten teams, which is slightly disappointing because as a cricketer I want the game to be globalized as much as possible and, according to me, this is a backwards step. We’ve got to find ways of encouraging the lesser teams.”

An online petition with almost 15000 signatures was filed asking ICC to reverse the decision.

Tendulkar suggested that the associate nations must get opportunities to play against the ‘A’ sides of the full member nations. He believes that the cricket’s global fan base and the excitement of the fans would only increase if the associate nations improve consistently and become more competitive.

He further explained, “Why not get Australia A, England A, New Zealand A, South Africa A, New Zealand A, India A, everyone, to go and visit these countries and play them on a regular basis,”

“If the results are good then you have more fans, so it’s important that they play good cricket consistently for a longer period, not just one good performance and then suddenly they go underground for four years and then turn up if they do well in those qualifying rounds.” Tendulkar concluded saying.

The Associate nations have always being the surprise package in the World Cups. Most recently, Ireland have earned a reputation of being the ‘Giant killers’. The captains of the Associate nations as well as experts of the game from time to time have pressed the issue of regular opportunities for them to play top class cricket and gain experience.