Sunil Gavaskar questions MCC laws after Rohit Sharma's dismissal in IND vs ENG 2nd ODI

Legendary India opener Sunil Gavaskar has questioned the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) over the change in laws regarding batters changing ends before getting caught. Gavaskar reignited the debate after Rohit Sharma was dismissed during the second ODI between India and England in Cuttack.

Batting on 119, Rohit tried to deposit a full toss bowled by Liam Livingstone over the midwicket fence. However, the Indian captain toe-ended the ball and it went high up in the air. Adil Rashid went back at midwicket to take a good catch.

By the time the ball was in the air, the batters had a chance of crossing each other. Before the MCC rule change, the crossing of ends would have counted, bringing the non-striker to face the next ball. However, the new batter has to face the ball at any cost according to the new rule.

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Sunil Gavaskar questions MCC law changes

Sunil Gavaskar was quick to reignite the topic after Rohit Sharma's dismissal. He reminded the viewers of the law change by the MCC a few years ago. Gavaskar feels that the MCC is a private organization and former captains like Graeme Smith, Rahul Dravid, and Ricky Ponting must be included in the club to make such decisions.

"The laws are changed by MCC. At the moment, the laws are with the MCC. It's a private club that makes the laws of international games all over the world. And I do believe that there should be some international experience there," Gavaskar said on air during his commentary stint with Star Sports.

"Maybe some former captains should be there. Just giving a few names. Graeme Smith, Rahul Dravid – somebody who's been a recent coach. Ricky Ponting has been around. These are the people who I believe should be in that laws committee," he added.

Sunil Gavaskar bats for former players in MCC

Further speaking on the same topic, Sunil Gavaskar asked for the need of some former cricketers in the club along with the umpires. He argued whether there was any need to change the non-striker's rule as there was no reason behind that change.

"There's umpiring experience, Yes. Simon Taufel is there. But for any law to change, there needs to be some background. Like the playing conditions came in for two bouncers in an over, one bouncer in an over, or 90 overs in a day, there were reasons behind it," Sunil Gavaskar noted.

"I don't know whether there was a reason to change this law that the non-striker would no longer be on strike if the players crossed ends and the batter who played the ball was out caught. I just think that was such an important television aspect too," he added.

The new rule was implemented in October 2022 and was first seen in The Hundred that year. The MCC has introduced quite a few rule changes over the last few years which also includes introducing the 'Mankad' rule under the run-out.

Rohit Sharma returns to form

Rohit Sharma finally announced his return to form with a blistering knock in the Cuttack ODI against England. He smashed 119 off just 90 balls with 12 fours and 7 sixes.

It was a typical Rohit-kind of knock in which he was highly aggressive right from the start. His knock comes at the right time just before the Champions Trophy.