NEW DELHI: Legendary India batter
Sunil Gavaskar
spoke about the issue that may have gone unnoticed by most. He pointed out a 'modern' technique adopted by bowlers which, in his opinion, provides them an advantage.
Gavaskar expressed his dissatisfaction with the current practice of bowlers taking a drink break at the
boundary line
after each over. Former India captain believes this habit provides an unfair advantage to the bowlers compared to the batters, who do not get the same opportunity to hydrate themselves during 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 runs," Gavaskar wrote in his column for Sportstar.
According to Gavaskar, the ideal interval for drink breaks should be one hour of play. If there is a necessity for additional breaks, the umpire and the opposing team's captain should be consulted for their approval.
"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."
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