New ICC Rule After 34 Overs: From June onwards, teams in ODIs can choose only one of the two new balls to use for the last 16 overs, instead of alternating between both balls.
The ICC introduced this change to restore balance between bat and ball-helping reverse swing, making the ball softer, and giving spinners more grip and control.
In conditions with heavy dew, the single ball becomes damp and hard to grip. Umpires then change the ball, which sometimes becomes too new, defeating the purpose of the rule.
India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said that while the intent is good, dew forces frequent ball changes, often resulting in a completely new ball, which defeats the rule’s original purpose.
The ICC also introduced new rules such as a 60-second stop clock between overs, 5-run penalties for delay or deliberate short runs, and mandatory submission of reserve player lists for concussion substitutes.
The India–South Africa ODIs being played in winter conditions with heavy dew made the one-ball rule a bigger talking point, as bowlers found it difficult while batters benefited in the second innings.