'No one else should be allowed...' — Sunil Gavaskar furious over prolonged IPL matches.

Former Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar has expressed serious concern regarding the increasing duration of matches in the IPL 2026 season. He stated that matches are becoming prolonged due to the entry of unnecessary personnel onto the field and frequent interruptions, which is beginning to test the patience of the fans.

The BCCI has imposed fines for slow over-rates; yet, the issue of delays persists. Gavaskar believes that a major reason for the sluggish pace of matches is the excessive movement of people on and off the field.

Gavaskar Displeased with Prolonged IPL Matches

In fact, Gavaskar pointed out that reserve players and support staff often enter the field for trivial matters—such as handing a water bottle to a player stationed at the boundary.

In his column for Mid-Day, Gavaskar wrote:

“It is frequently observed that reserve players enter the field to hand a water bottle to a fielder standing near the boundary. This should not be permitted because, during the course of play—even if it is between two deliveries—it implies that there are more than 11 players on the field. Even during Strategic Time-outs, as many as six individuals enter the field, including batsmen who are not currently at the crease. This constitutes excessive leniency. Apart from two reserve players and two members of the coaching staff, no one else should be allowed to enter the field.”

Call for Stricter Rules and Faster Play

Gavaskar also emphasized the importance of respecting the playing field and maintaining discipline. Recalling the advice of Richie Benaud, he stated:

“Richie Benaud told me at the beginning of my broadcasting career that the playing field is a sacred space, and only the umpires and the players currently involved in the game are permitted to enter it. For this very reason, unless I am conducting a pitch report or hosting a TV segment, I do not even set foot on the field. I hope the BCCI will also ensure that committee members—who possess passes granting them access to all areas—do not cross the boundary line. Let us preserve the sanctity of the playing field. Furthermore, since all batsmen are stationed in the dugout, the allotted two-minute interval could be reduced to one minute.” If the batsman is still not ready to face the bowler, penalty runs should be imposed after two warnings. — Sunil Gavaskar