Xtra Time Web Desk: Former India opener Sunil Gavaskar has lashed out at Cricket South Africa after the first T20I between India and South Africa at the Kingsmead stadium was abandoned due to rain in Durban on Sunday, December 10. The legendary cricketer expressed his dissatisfaction with Cricket South Africa’s handling of the situation. Gavaskar criticized the lack of comprehensive ground covering, emphasizing the need for complete coverage to facilitate play even after rain. According to Gavaskar, the absence of full ground covering can result in a delay for the game to commence even if the rain stops due to wet outfield.
“If the ground remains uncovered and the rain stops, you know it does not start for another one hour. Suddenly it rains again. So, there is no play whatsoever. Everybody (cricket boards) is getting a lot of money. Let us make no mistake. All the cricket boards have got plenty of money. If they say they don’t, they are lying. They might not have as much money as the BCCI. Fair enough. But every board has got money to buy these covers to cover the entire ground,” Gavaskar said on Star Sports.
The Little Master cited the example of Eden Gardens in Kolkata for taking the proactive measures to cover the entire ground when it rains. Gavaskar lauded former India captain and ex Cricket Association of Bengal President Sourav Ganguly for taking this initiative to keep the entire ground covered as matches could start soon after the rain stops.
According to Gavaskar, “What the boards need to do now is to cover the entire ground. Let’s have no excuse. I remember I think there was one Test match at Eden Gardens called where there was some problem at the game didn’t start. Next game, Eden Gardens had the entire ground covered. That is the kind of initiative that you want to have. Sourav Ganguly was the man in charge and he made sure that nobody could point the finger at Eden Gardens.”
Gavaskar’s remarks highlight the importance of adopting best practices in ground management to ensure the smooth conduct of cricket matches, especially in the face of unpredictable weather conditions. His commentary serves as a call to action for cricket boards to prioritize effective strategies for weather-related challenges, ultimately enhancing the overall experience for players and fans alike.