India’s Sachin Tendulkar wants 50-over matches to be split into two innings per side to spice up the one-day game and save it from being swamped by the new Twenty20 format.

Tendulkar, who holds the record for most runs scored in both tests and one-day internationals, feels two innings of 25 overs each would make the matches more competitive and less predictable.

The 50-over format is losing popularity due to the enthusiasm for Twenty20 matches, which last about 3-1/2 hours, making them ideal for television consumption.

“I am for 50-over cricket,” Tendulkar told India’s independent Times Now television.

“We should have 25 overs a side to start with. And then again, 25 overs for one side and then the other.”

Tendulkar said splitting into two innings each would reduce the luck factor as the importance of winning the toss would be reduced.

“Today, we can tell the result of close to 75 per cent of matches after the toss,” said Tendulkar.

“We know how the conditions will affect the two teams. If it’s a day-night match then both the teams will have to bat under lights.

“The conditions change dramatically but this would ensure that it’s same for everyone.”

Cricket commentators have recently been debating the likely demise of 50-over cricket. England’s cricket authorities have now decided to drop 50-over cricket from its domestic competitions, reducing it to a 40-over game.