Legendary Indian cricketer, Sunil Gavaskar reckons that there aren’t many changes required in T20 cricket but custodians of the game can consider allowing two bouncers per over, moving ahead. The shortest format has often been touted as the batsman’s game with bowlers having little to play for on flat decks with short boundaries.
Talking about the changes in T20 cricket, Gavaskar said, “It is loaded heavily in favor of the batsmen for sure. So, give a fast bowler two bouncers per over and yes the boundaries can be easily longer if the ground authorities want it. Also, look at giving an extra over to the bowler who takes a wicket in his first three overs. But seriously there’s no need to bring any changes at all.”
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Gavaskar also suggested that the third umpire can also be given the responsibility of checking whether a non-striker is backing up too far even before a bowler has delivered the ball.
The batting legend suggested, “There is a penalty of being dismissed if the bowler runs out the non-striker who is moving out of the crease before the ball is delivered. Now that the TV umpire is also checking if the bowler has overstepped for no balls, he should be able to see if the non-striker has left the crease before the ball is released and if he has, then if runs are taken, it can be called one short even if a boundary or four is hit. This should act as a deterrent.”
Gavaskar also lauded senior off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who was seen giving warning to Aaron Finch for backing up too far during an IPL game between Delhi Capitals and RCB but also made it clear that he wouldn’t spare the batsman the next time.
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During the chat with PTI, Sunil Gavaskar said, “Ashwin is one of the most astute of cricketers. By this gesture, he has shown respect and regard to his coach Ricky Ponting, who has expressed his displeasure at this sort of dismissal. However, he has also announced publicly that this is the final warning and if from now on anybody strolls out of his crease then he should be prepared to walk back to the dug-out.”