Former West Indies pacer Ian Bishop was not in agreement with India legend Sunil Gavaskar’s idea of a radical rule change to the Indian Premier League to counter the late finishes in the ongoing IPL 2023. All of the matches are taking more than four hours to complete leaving the fans frustrated.
Gavaskar cited the excessive extras that bowlers are bowling as a big problem that is causing the games to finish later than usual. The Indian legend proposed a novel idea and demanded a significant rule adjustment for the league's upcoming season. Few people favored the proposal because co-commentator Ian Bishop quickly disapproved of it.
"After bowling two-three consecutive wides, the batter should get a free hit. All these wides and all really delay the game, so food for thought next year," said Gavaskar while commentating on the clash between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
However, his fellow commentator Ian Bishop replied: "A ridiculous idea."
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The game between CSK and LSG saw one no-ball and seven wides in the four-time champions' innings. And then CSK bowlers bowled three no-balls and 13 wides during LSG's innings, with Tushar Deshpande bowling all the three no-balls leaving captain MS Dhoni frustrated.
Dhoni sent a firm warning to his bowlers to cut down on the wides and no-balls or claim they will have to play under a new captain, hinting at a ban for overrate issues.
"They'll have to bowl no no-balls or extra wides. Or they'll have to play under a new captain. It will be my second warning and then I'll be off," said Dhoni in the post-match chat.
(Star Sports inputs)