No matter which format of Cricket is being played or where it is being played, the singular starting point of every match is the toss. Two captains joined by Match Referee with a coin decide to take the very important decision. Visiting captain calls the side of the coin while home captain tosses the coin with the winner getting to choose whether he wants to bowl or bat. The tradition has continued from 1877 but now it may find its end next year.
A new international coaches representative on the committee, which features Anil Kumble, Andrew Strauss, Mahela Jayawardene, Rahul Dravid and others will be deciding the future of toss in the ICC meeting to be held on May 28-29. Citing the overpowering ‘Home advantage’ which cripples the visiting team, there is a thought process of doing away with the coin toss.
Many former cricketers expressed their opinions on this issue. While some have advocated for the removal of tosses, some have vehemently disagreed with abolishing the old tradition. “I’m actually at a loss to make any sense,” former India captain Bishan Singh Bedi told Times of India newspaper. Bedi further asked, “First of all, why would you even want to tinker with a century-long tradition?”
Former Indian batsman Dilip Vengsarkar expressed that such frequent tinkering with playing conditions should not be done.“If this is only about home team’s interference in pitch preparation then just introduce neutral curators,” the former Test batsman told TOI. “Have a panel of neutral curators just the way the ICC has an elite panel of umpires and match referees. Why do away with a tradition that just not adds to the charm of cricket but gives both participating teams an equal opportunity to rise to the contest?”
Former Australia captains Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh supported the move to scrap the toss, while West Indies pace great Michael Holding also weighed in the support of an even contest between bat and ball.
Former Pakistan captain Asif Iqbal opposed the idea, he said, “I am not in favor of scrapping the toss,” the 58-Test veteran told Dawn newspaper. “Every visiting team will also be hosting tours and will be having the home advantage. To be the best and top team in the world ranking you need to win both at home and more importantly away from home.”
The “elements of surprise, doubts, and knowledge” would be taken away if the toss was discontinued, according to Iqbal.
