T20 cricket has opened up the special path of cricket which is continuously helping to grow up many more countries for the game. While there is a talk to modify the game by splitting each T20 innings into two innings, each for 10 overs, the former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir and former Aussie pacer Brett Lee have given their views on it.
Since its official introduction in 2003, the T20 cricket has gradually grown up and it has now become a crucial part of the game which is practically inspiring many countries. As the time is changing, the demand of T20 cricket is also changing. Some believe that the T20 cricket can be better if the T20 innings gets split into two innings, 10-over of each innings.
However, Gautam Gambhir doesn’t support this idea. Talking about this, Gambhir pointed out the legendary Sachin Tendulkar‘s advice and showed the support of the similar split in the one-day format but not in the T20 cricket.
Gambhir said on Star Sports show Cricket Connected, “I’m not a big believer that we should split T20 cricket into two innings. I think, Sachin Tendulkar somewhere gave a suggestion that we could try doing it with 50 overs which makes a lot of sense, because you’ve got 25 overs (each).”
Splitting that into 10 overs each will be too short an inning: Gautam Gambhir
Talking more about his favour in splitting the one-day cricket, Gambhir pointed out the impact of toss, which can likely go away due to this change. But Gambhir feels that the T20 cricket is too short for making such change.
He added, “It also probably takes the toss away as well because in some conditions the toss plays a huge role and I was absolutely in favour of that as well.
“But not in T20 cricket, it’s too short a format and there’s hardly any time. Splitting that into 10 overs each will be too short an inning.”
I think having four innings is a bit too much: Brett Lee
On the other hand, Brett Lee has also a similar view of Gambhir for T20 cricket. The 43-year-old former right-arm fast bowler also believes that the four innings are a bit too much for the T20 cricket.
Lee said, “I am all for T20 cricket whether it’s the Indian Premier League or the Big Bash to have some flair about it, some excitement to bring people to the game.
“But there are some things you want to keep traditional when it comes to cricket and I think having four innings is a bit too much. I still think it’s always nice to see a target, and try and chase that target down or defend it.”
Gautam Gambhir played 251 T20s from 2007 to 2018 while Brett Lee played 120 T20s from 2005 to 2015.