Do Away With Toss And Leg-Byes, Says Former India Captain Sunil Gavaskar
Dec 18, 2016 at 11:25 AM
With toss playing an important role in determining the outcome of a match, talks of scrapping the traditional pre-match ritual has been vigorously doing the rounds. The conditions play a vital role and the team winning the toss has the chance of dictating the match more than its opposition which has made several players and coaches in the past to do away with the toss and the latest player to join the bandwagon is former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar.
In an interview with the Deccan Chronicle, the legendary batsman spoke on various measures to make Test cricket more attractive to the crowd.
“Doing away with the toss was something I suggested 20 years ago. But I’m not an Australian or an Englishman, so I won’t get the credit for it. I have also asked the leg-byes to be scrapped because when a bowler has bowled a good ball and the batsman couldn’t get his bat to it, why should the fielding team be penalised. Those are things that maybe an Australian or an Englishman should suggest for them to be taken on board,” Gavaskar opined.
The cricketer-turned-commentator also expressed his eagerness to see day-night Test in India. At the same time, he has his fair share of reservation over playing the pink ball Test in India where dew plays a vital role.
“I’m quite eager but I think the main problem will be the dew. The conditions should remain the same and when I talk about the conditions it’s the ground conditions as the weather will keep changing everywhere. They will have to find a ground where dew will not be a factor,” he said.
He also had a word of caution for the high-flying Indian team which will face Australia in February. The Aussies have struggled to do well in recent times but Gavaskar said underestimating the team from Down Under will be a big mistake.
“You can never be sure in cricket. Australia have improved after their defeats to South Africa and if they do well against Pakistan, they will come here with a lot of confidence. And, no Australian team can ever be underrated,” Gavaskar said.
He also praised Kohli’s intention of having a county stint before India visits England in 2018 to get accustomed to the conditions.
Gavaskar said:“It’s a good move. You get used to the conditions like how Australia, New Zealand and South Africa have been sending their ‘A’ teams to India in August so that they will get familiar with the pitches and the weather. So it’s a matter of getting used to the conditions.
When asked to rate the current Indian Test team, which is the top-ranked side in the world, the retired batsman said:“This team has the right kind of balance in bowling. New-ball bowlers are also taking wickets and the spinners will always get you wickets. It’s important to have the right combination as that will help you take 20 wickets to win a match.”