Sunil Gavaskar Lashes Out at Unfair 'Practice' by Bowlers, Says 'Batters Don't Get the Chance…'

Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has expressed his displeasure at the ‘practice’ of bowlers taking refreshment while fielding near the boundary in addition to the scheduled drinks break. Gavaskar feels it’s an unfair advantage for them since batters don’t get the same luxury.

Writing in his column for Sportstar, he blamed the authorities ‘for turning a blind eye’ to the trend and wants a return to the old days when such a leeway wasn’t 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.

As per ICC playing conditions, players are allowed to take drinks in addition to the scheduled breaks provided no playing time is wasted.

“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.

To restore the balance, he wants a return to the old rule where drinks are taken after each hour of play and only with the permission of 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.