Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has criticised a new trend in modern cricket that he believes gives bowlers an unfair advantage. There's already a perception that cricket has become tilted in favor of batters, thanks to rule changes, larger bats, and expansive grounds.
Sunil Gavaskar points out major rule flaw in cricket
But Gavaskar raised a specific point he believes needs addressing. He criticised the authorities for allowing bowlers, particularly fast bowlers, to take sips of refreshment drinks at the boundary line in between overs. Gavaskar feels this practice gives bowlers an unfair advantage. He argues that while batters have to wait for scheduled drinks breaks, bowlers get to rehydrate more frequently throughout the innings, which he believes disrupts the balance of the game.
"In cricket, the modern practice of bowlers, especially the quick ones, getting a refreshing drink on the boundary line where they go to field after completing their over is an example of the authorities turning a blind eye to the practice. Why have the drinks interval then if bowlers are going to get themselves hydrated after going flat out for six deliveries? Mind you, the batter doesn’t get the chance to have a drink after an over where they may have taken eight runs or so, which are all run," Gavaskar wrote in his column for Sportstar.
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Sunil Gavaskar didn't just call out the current practice, he also proposed a potential solution. The former Indian cricketer believes the International Cricket Council (ICC) needs to take action and regulate this. According to Gavaskar, drinks breaks should only be allowed at designated intervals, ideally after every hour of play. This would ensure a more even playing field. He even suggested a system for exceptional circumstances. If a player urgently needs a drink before the official break, they should be allowed to do so only with the explicit permission of the umpire and the opposing captain. This would prevent misuse and ensure the flow of the game isn't disrupted unnecessarily.
"Cricket is also a game where stamina and endurance matter no matter what the format is, so frankly, it should go back to the days when drinks were taken only after every hour of play and before that only with the permission of the opposition captain and umpires. Once the umpires looked the other way and allowed one bowler to do that, it became a trend, making a mockery of the drinks interval," he added.
"The third umpire and match referee should also ensure that the reserve player does not step onto the field to offer a drink to his teammate but stays outside the boundary line," Gavaskar concluded.
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