Sunil Gavaskar Raises A Serious Issue In Modern-Day Cricket

Sunil Gavaskar is renowned for his outspoken nature and unwavering commitment to cricket's fundamentals. Recently, the former Indian opener criticized a prevalent modern-day practice in the sport. Throughout his career, Gavaskar has consistently emphasized the importance of adhering to basic principles. He has been a vocal critic of several aspects of contemporary cricket. Gavaskar has chastised batsmen for neglecting to slide their bats when taking runs, stressing the fundamental necessity of grounding the bat to avoid run-out dismissals. His discontent with the ICC's decision to abolish runners for injured batsmen has been well-documented, reflecting his concern for maintaining fairness and tradition in the game.

Furthermore, Gavaskar has expressed frustration when batsmen fail to capitalize on scoring opportunities, such as converting singles into doubles or doubles into triples. His displeasure extends to instances where batsmen squander their wickets due to rash shot selection, believing in the importance of responsible batting.

Recently, Gavaskar took aim at a new trend observed among bowlers during matches. He criticized the practice where fast bowlers frequently take "drinks breaks" on the field, particularly near the boundary line. This trend, according to Gavaskar, disrupts the flow of the game and represents a departure from the traditional expectations of continuous effort and focus from players.

"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," former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar, who turned 75 years old on July 10, wrote in his column for Sportstar.

Sunil Gavaskar underscored the critical role of stamina and resilience in cricket, urging third umpires and match referees to enforce stringent measures against the frequent practice of reserve players carrying drinks onto the field. He emphasized the need for players to maintain their focus and involvement in the game without unnecessary interruptions.

Gavaskar's stance reflects his belief in maintaining the integrity and intensity of cricket matches. He advocates for a stricter adherence to on-field regulations to prevent disruptions that could potentially affect the flow and rhythm of the game. His call to action targets the management of match dynamics, urging officials to uphold standards that prioritize continuous play and competitive spirit. By addressing these concerns, Gavaskar aims to preserve cricket's traditional values of discipline and commitment. His advocacy for stronger oversight on such practices aims to ensure that the sport remains true to its essence, where players' performances are not compromised by avoidable interruptions.

"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," Gavaskar noted.