"Making a mockery of..." - Sunil Gavaskar demands action from ICC as he exposes bowlers' unfair practice

Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar recently criticized bowlers for their modern-day cricket practices, adding that such practices give them an undue advantage in the game. Sunil Gavaskar pointed out that bowlers hydrate between overs, but batters don't get similar breaks despite their efforts on the field.

Sunil Gavaskar was a superstar of the 1970s and 80s. The former right-handed batsman had a 16-year international career. He scored 10,122 runs in 125 Test matches at an impressive average of 51.12, including 34 centuries. Gavaskar was the first batsman to surpass the 10,000-run milestone in Test cricket history.

The Batter Doesn't Get The Chance - Sunil Gavaskar

In his column for Sportstar, Sunil Gavaskar criticized bowlers for hydrating while fielding near the boundary. Gavaskar said that this practice gives bowlers an unfair advantage and questioned why batters are not allowed to get similar breaks even after exerting themselves in scoring runs.

"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.

Fast bowlers frequently take hydration breaks while fielding near the boundary, a practice permitted by ICC playing conditions as long as it does not waste playing time.

Sunil Gavaskar has repeatedly raised concerns about bowlers receiving hydration during play. The legendary batsman first brought up the issue in 2011, when runners were banned. Recently, during IPL 2023, he noticed water being sent to Gujarat Titans fast bowler Mohit Sharma, which disturbed his rhythm.

Drinks Were Taken Only After Every Hour Of Play - Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar wanted a return to a time when drinks were allowed only after every hour of play, with permission from the opposition captain and umpires. He urged umpires and match referees to prevent players from using drink breaks to convey messages.

"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."

Over time, umpires have only sometimes resisted when players rush out of dressing rooms to communicate messages to batters before the scheduled breaks.

Also read: Former England skipper Geoffrey Boycott successfully undergoes throat cancer surgery, confirms family member