ECONOMY

Why KKR mentor Gautam Gambhir is urging IPL to change to new ball manufacturer


In the midst of the high-octane clashes within the Indian Premier League 2024, there have been suggestions put forth by former cricketers advocating for a change in the ball manufacturer to provide assistance to bowlers. During the inaugural episode of the podcast, “180 Not Out,” Gautam Gambhir, the mentor of the Kolkata Knight Riders and a former T20 World Cup champion with India, raised queries regarding the exclusive use of Kookaburra balls. He pondered the viability of persisting with a manufacturer incapable of producing a ball that endures for 50 overs, suggesting a potential shift to a different manufacturer.

Gautam Gambhir’s suggestions come at a time where bowlers find themselves besieged in this season’s IPL where many many records, including highest ever total and highest ever runs scored by both the teams have been broken.

Adding to the discourse, renowned commentator Harsha Bhogle expressed support for employing Duke balls to provide respite for bowlers in T20 cricket. In a tweet, Bhogle underscored the necessity for equilibrium between bat and ball, particularly in circumstances where pitches offer minimal assistance to bowlers. He advocated for the adoption of Duke balls, highlighting their capacity for greater lateral movement and the impediment they pose to batters’ ability to dominate proceedings.

The reactions to these propositions have been varied. Many netizens have expressed concern over the escalating dominance of batting, likening the current scenario to a situation where bowling machines could potentially replace human bowlers. Others lamented the diminishing competitiveness between bat and ball, fearing that the essence of the game might be lost amidst the one-sided display of batting prowess.

Echoing similar sentiments, another user emphasized the importance of maintaining balance within the game to ensure enjoyment for both batting and bowling enthusiasts. He warned against the potential erosion of interest in the sport due to unidimensional displays of either batting or bowling prowess, advocating for measures to preserve the equilibrium between the two facets of the game.

Gautam Gambhir’s masterstroke

Shifting focus to on-field performances, the decision to promote Sunil Narine as an opener for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the ongoing IPL season has been lauded as a masterstroke of Gautam Ghambhir. Rinku Singh, acknowledging the significance of Narine’s role at the top of the order, attributed credit to team mentor Gautam Gambhir for this strategic move. Narine’s stellar form as an opener, culminating in a maiden T20 century against the Rajasthan Royals on Tuesday, has been a revelation, contrasting starkly with his previous performances while batting lower down the order.

Reflecting on Narine’s evolution as a batsman, Rinku Singh noted a discernible change in his approach characterized by increased patience and astute shot selection. This transformation, he attributed to Narine’s diligent efforts during practice sessions, wherein he honed his skills and displayed greater restraint in shot execution. Despite Narine’s heroics with the bat, his century proved insufficient as Jos Buttler’s masterclass propelled the Rajasthan Royals to victory in a thrilling encounter.


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