Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, in his column for Mid-Day, has launched a sharp critique against the growing trend of match delays in IPL 2026, specifically targeting the "exploitation" of strategic timeouts and unnecessary on-field interference. Gavaskar’s frustrations peaked after the longest match of the season, a 4-hour, 22-minute clash between the Mumbai Indians and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, which he claims tested the "sanctity" of the game. He noted that strategic timeouts, intended to last 2 minutes and 30 seconds, often stretch to nearly three minutes because the first ball is not bowled promptly after the break.
“Often, one sees the unnecessary sight of reserve players stepping onto the ground to give a bottle of water to the fielder near the boundary. That should not be allowed, as that would mean more than 11 players on the field while the play is on, even though it may be between deliveries. At the strategic time out too, one often sees about half a dozen others on the ground, including the batters who are next into bat. That is taking the liberty too far. Here again, apart from the two reserve players with the drinks and two from the coaching staff, and nobody else should be allowed on the ground,”
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He criticised the "unnecessary sight" of support staff and reserve players stepping onto the ground between deliveries or during breaks. Earlier in April, he blasted RCB pacer Rasikh Dar for taking three separate medical timeouts in a single over, suggesting players should leave the field for treatment instead of halting play. Gavaskar has criticised the treatment of pitches in IPL 2026, arguing that excessive foot traffic from staff, coaches during timeouts, and broadcasters is compromising the "sanctity of the pitch" and altering match conditions. He advocated for stricter protocols, including limited access to the playing surface, to prevent damage and unfair, uneven bounce, particularly after reports of issues in Delhi and Lucknow.
Today all batters are in dug-out: Sunil Gavaskar suggests cutting time of batting changeover
The legendary opener believes the current "looseness" is diluting the sharpness of the contest. If a batter is not ready within one minute, Gavaskar proposes a penalty of five runs added to the opposition score after two warnings. He argued that financial fines are ineffective because franchises often cover the cost; only run or point penalties that affect match results will force behavioural changes.
“Today all batters are in the dug-out instead of being in their change room as in the past, so the allowance of two minutes can be brought down to a minute and if the batter is not ready to face the bowler, then after a couple of warnings to the team, the penalty runs should kick in,” wrote Gavaskar.
