'Increase the size of the boundary at every ground' - Sunil Gavaskar calls for change amid batters' rampage in IPL 2024

The 17th edition of the Indian Premier League has been one to savour for batters, with the 250-run mark breached as many as five times by both teams in a particular match, the preposterous part being that the tournament hasn't reached its halfway stage as of now. In the 35 matches played so far, there have been 15 instances of teams getting past the 200-run mark. 

Match 35 of IPL 2024 witnessed a host of records getting toppled over - the Sunrisers Hyderabad scoring the fastest team hundred in the entirety of the IPL (5 overs), amassing the highest powerplay score (125/0), highest score after 10 overs (158/4). Witnessing batters decimate bowlers in the match between DC and SRH, while South African speedster, Dale Steyn, saw it as a window for bowlers to return with economical figures, former Indian batter, Sunil Gavaskar, was fervent while commentating on the lopsided equilibrium between batters and bowlers, while in a conversation with former Indian captain, Anjum Chopra.

While not advocating a change in the cricket bats in terms of thickness or size due to them being already within the regulations and guidelines set by the ICC, Gavaskar was adamant that the size of the boundary fence should be increased at every venue. Commenting on the Arun Jaitley Stadium which was hosting its first IPL 2024 fixture, Gavaskar stated that there was adequate space between the current position of the boundary fence and the LED advertisement boards and that there was merit by the BCCI to push the boundary ropes back by 2-3 metres. This, in turn, would act as the difference between a maximum and a catch in the deep, as well as provide an additional cushion to the bowlers.

Also Read: 'You needed to pitch the ball up and allow it to swing' - Wasim Jaffer lambasts DC bowlers after forgettable outing versus SRH

“I wouldn't suggest any changes to a cricket bat because they are all within regulations, but I have been saying this for a long time, increase the size of the boundary at every ground. Look at this ground today, there is enough space to take it back a little more by a couple of metres. It can often prove to be the difference between a catch and a sixer. You can push that LED or advertisement boards even further so that the boundary rope can go back by 2-3 metres, and that will make a difference. Otherwise, the bowlers are the only ones who will suffer,” the 74-year-old said.

Also Read: 'You Freak' - Twitter reacts as Delhi Capitals' Jake Fraser-McGurk scores fastest fifty of IPL 2024

I wanted to use a stronger word, but no: Gavaskar on batters prevailing in IPL 2024 

Drawing parallels to how most cricketers react to their coaches letting them know about the rounds to follow being their last couple of rounds while batting in the nets, Gavaskar reasoned that batters battering bowlers across all parts of the ground with utter disdain gets repetitive and mechanical after a point, with him at his wit's end while commentating during the batting bonanza which took place in Delhi.

“What we have been seeing in T20 cricket over the last few days is that this is batting like the coach tells in the nets, 'This is the last round,' and everybody starts swinging their bat around bang, bang whether they get out or not. It's enjoyable to a little extent, but after that it gets...not so exciting. I wanted to use a stronger word, but no,” he added.