From powerplay to field restrictions, cricket has witnessed several changes in the last couple of decades. Most of these changes have made life difficult for the bowlers.

All this has been done in the name of spectators. To make the sport more exciting for the viewers. The batters have benefitted immensely from these regulations, leaving the bowlers to suffer.

It’s no secret that modern-day cricket is heavily titled in the favour of the batters and bowlers are treated like second-class citizens. Despite all this, some people are still not satisfied with this.

They often suggest radical changes to make a bowler’s life even more difficult. Former India opener Aakash Chopra, who is a famous name in the Indian broadcasting industry, made one such suggestion on the micro-blogging site.

The cricketer-turned journalist, who is currently recovering from COVID-19, wrote that batters should be awarded two extra runs for dispatching the ball in excess of 100 metres.

100+ metre six should be given an 8.

“100+ metre six should be given an 8,” the former opener wrote on his Twitter handle. His comments came after Punjab Kings (PBKS) all-rounder Liam Livingstone smashed the biggest six of IPL 2022, hitting CSK pacer Mukesh Choudhary’s delivery for a 108-metre maximum.

Liam Livingstone broke his own record for the biggest six in IPL 2022. pic.twitter.com/lue5Bn0VRj

The kind of bats that are being used these days, hitting a 100-plus metre six is not an anomaly anymore. Over the years, we have seen many power-hitters hitting huge maximums but awarding them extra runs would be a grave injustice to the bowler, who is at the receiving end of that shot.

Taking a stand for his fellow bowlers, Rajasthan Royals (RR) leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal responded to Chopra’s tweet. With utmost respect, the Haryana leggie proposed that to make things even, a batter should be declared out if he played three dot balls.

Three wickets in a spell should allow the bowler to bowl an extra over also, Imagine someone trying to hit you for a 100-metre six (because it’s an 8), good chance that he’ll lose shape…risk-reward.

“Three dot balls should be 1 wicket bhaiya,” Chahal wrote in response to Chopra’s proposal.

After Chahal’s response, the former India batter defended his stance saying that not just the batters but bowlers would also benefit if two extra runs are awarded because in order to hit a huge six, he might lose his shape and end up throwing away his wicket.

“Three wickets in a spell should allow the bowler to bowl an extra over. Also, imagine someone trying to hit you for a 100-metre six (because it’s an 8), good chance that he’ll lose shape…risk-reward,” wrote the former India batter.

Instead of making too many changes to the playing regulations, the governing body must work towards ensuring an even contest between bat and ball. Only then will the fans be able to enjoy the match in its full glory.

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