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'This Is Not Cricket': Sunil Gavaskar Points Out English Hypocrisy On Bouncers In Lord's Test

Probuddha Bhattacharjee

Rishabh Pant batting and Sunil Gavaskar [Source: @LloydMathias, @Pandeyshruti252/x.com]Rishabh Pant batting and Sunil Gavaskar [Source: @LloydMathias, @Pandeyshruti252/x.com]

One of the biggest legends and best cricket thinkers on the planet, Sunil Gavaskar, was seen visibly disappointed with England's strategy against India on Day 3 of the Lord's Test. The Indian legend criticised the English team's strategy of placing seven fielders on the leg side, targeting the bodies of the two Indian batters. 

Notably, England batted first in the game and posted a total of 387 runs before being bundled out. The English bowling did a good job towards the end of the second day and had India under pressure at 145/3 at stumps on Day 2. 

England Devise New Plan Frustrated By Pant And Rahul

Ben Stokes and company would have hoped to pick up a few early wickets on Day 3 and have a decisive first innings lead. However, Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul stood tall and gradually guided the visitors towards the English total.

Around the 62nd over mark, while Ben Stokes was bowling, England devised a new plan. They placed seven fielders, especially on the rope on the leg side, and started targeting the body of the Indian batters with a barrage of short balls.

This visibly upset the Indian legend. Commentating at this stage with Harsha Bhogle, Gavaskar commented - "This is not cricket in my opinion. More than six fielders should not be allowed to be placed on the leg side."

Gavaskar Mentions The 'Four Horsemen Of Apocalypse'

The legend further commented - "When the West Indies started to attack with the body-line bowling, they came up with the rule that one can’t bowl more than two bouncers in an over. But honestly, they should also set a limit to the number of fielders in the leg side. There shouldn’t be more than six fielders in the leg side. This is not cricket according to me."

He even addressed this to the ICC. Gavaskar said, "Sourav Ganguly, who is the Chairperson of the ICC Men's Cricket Committee, I want you to take a look at this, so that the next time this happens, required steps are taken."

The mention of the West Indies' golden era and the "Four Horsemen of Apocalypse" striking fear within the mind of the opposition batters somehow showed that Gavaskar was pointing at the hypocrisy of English cricket. This particular mention referred to the fact that when those four pacers were bowling short, MCC stepped in, but now, when the English team is doing the same, why is there no discussion?