The modern practice of bowlers taking refreshments while fielding close to the boundary in addition to the planned drink breaks during the match has been criticized by legendary Indian cricket team batsman Sunil Gavaskar. Gavaskar claimed that while the hitters do not have the same facility, it offers the bowlers an unfair advantage in his Sportstar column. Gavaskar also held the modern cricket authorities accountable for “turning a blind eye” to the incidents, which have become all too regular in the game these days.
“In cricket, the modern practice of bowlers, especially the quick ones, getting a refreshing drink on the boundary line where they go to field after completing their over is an example of the authorities turning a blind eye to the practice,” Gavaskar wrote.
According to ICC regulations, players are permitted to consume alcohol even beyond the allotted breaks as long as there is no time lost during the game and it does not interfere with the play of any other players.
“An individual player may be given a drink either on the boundary edge or at the fall of a wicket, on the field, provided that no playing time is wasted. No other drinks shall be taken onto the field without the permission of the umpires. Any player taking drinks onto the field shall be dressed in proper cricket attire.”
But, Gavaskar pointed out that only bowlers are able to take advantage of this rule.
“Why have the drinks interval then if bowlers are going to get themselves hydrated after going flat out for six deliveries? Mind you, the batter doesn’t get the chance to have a drink after an over where they may have taken eight runs or so, which are all run,” he wrote.
“Cricket is also a game where stamina and endurance matter no matter what the format is, so frankly, it should go back to the days when drinks were taken only after every hour of play and before that only with the permission of the opposition captain and umpires,” Gavaskar added.
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