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XtraTime Web Desk: The Cricket Association of Bengal on Monday decided to make eye tests mandatory for players representing the senior and U23 Bengal teams. The idea was mooted by former Bengal captain Arun Lal, who on Monday was officially given an extension as coach of the senior team by the CAB. It was under Arun Lal, Bengal made it to the finals of the Ranji Trophy last season against Sourashtra.

According to the veteran cricketer, eye tests for the Bengal senior and U23 cricketers must be made mandatory as in a sport like cricket, having good eyesight and reflexes are paramount for any cricketer. The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) will be conducting mandatory eye tests ahead of the domestic season once cricket returns to normalcy post the coronavirus pandemic.

“It’s just precautionary. When you have your main players who are 30-plus…its always best to have this done. Cricket is 90 per cent an eye game. You got to make sure that everything is okay,” former India batsman Lal told IANS on Tuesday.

“You take your eyes for granted. And if there is a little weakening on the eyesight, you don’t notice it. Sometimes I think maybe I suspect some guys are not being able to sight the ball as they used to. So it’s just getting it out of the way. I think it is essential,” he added.

It is not that CAB is the only association doing mandatory eye tests for its cricketers. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has been doing the same with its players for the last three years.

Speaking to IANS, a BCCI official said that while it is a good idea on the part of the CAB, the contracted players of the BCCI have been undergoing the same process quarterly for the last three years.

“I think it is a brilliant move on their part because cricket is after all a game of reflexes and hand-eye coordination. In fact, Virat and boys have been undergoing eye tests quarterly for the last three years. It is a part of the drill for contracted players,” said the official.