(AFP Photo)
Cricket icon Sunil Gavaskar has voiced his frustration over bowlers taking breaks for refreshments while fielding near the boundary, alongside the scheduled drinks break. Gavaskar argues that this practice gives bowlers an unfair advantage, as batters do not have the same opportunity.
In his column for Sportstar, Gavaskar criticized the authorities for ignoring this trend and called for a return to stricter regulations similar to those in the past, when such allowances were not permitted.
“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,” Gavaskar wrote.
According to ICC playing regulations, players can take drinks during matches beyond the scheduled breaks, provided it does not result in any wasted playing time.
“An individual player may be given a drink either on the boundary edge or at the fall of a wicket, on the field, provided that no playing time is wasted. No other drinks shall be taken onto the field without the permission of the umpires. Any player taking drinks onto the field shall be dressed in proper cricket attire,” reads the rule.
However, Gavaskar feels batters don’t get the chance to do so.
“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,” he wonders.
In an effort to restore fairness, he advocates reverting to the previous rule: drinks should be taken at the end of each hour of play, with permission from the opposition captains and on-field umpires.
“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,” Gavaskar wrote.
He alleges that bowlers have made a ‘mockery of drinks interval’.
“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. 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,” he wrote.
