Former Indian cricketer and chief selector Chetan Sharma has said that although the audience likes to see boundaries and sixes flowing from the bats, some attention needs to be paid to the bowlers too, as he asked for balanced tracks that would help the bowlers compete against hard-hitting batters.
The India vs West Indies T20I series has become an exhibition of how flat tracks can destroy the sport. India posted a whopping 249 in the second T20I and West Indies chased the target down, with bowlers from both teams being taken to the cleaners.
In the third T20I, India posted 223 but managed to restrict West Indies to 209. In the fourth match, West Indies scored 247 batting first and bowled the hosts out for 223, as bowlers found no respite.
“A little
improvement is needed. I know the public wants to see fours and sixes, but please pay a little attention to the bowlers too. I accept the fact that bowlers come out to get hit, but don’t hit them so much that they never want to come back,” Chetan said while speaking to ANI at an event in New Delhi.
“A healthy competition is very important. Supportive wickets are very important. Just as BCCI provides supportive wickets in domestic cricket, supportive wickets should be provided in international cricket too,” Chetan added.
The former India player acknowledged the growing popularity of T20s at the grassroots level, noting that the format had gained prominence with changing times. But Chetan stressed that red-ball cricket remains crucial to a young player’s development.
“I am an old-school guy. I believe the red ball is very important for everyone. But now it is up to the organisers and coaches. I have seen and met many such coaches who focus a lot on red-ball cricket,” Chetan said.
“That is a good thing, but the chances a kid is getting, they should play. I believe this,” Chetan added.
