Sunil Gavaskar suggests a special punishment for bowlers if they bowls two consecutive wide balls

Sunil Gavaskar (Image credit: Twitter)

A total of 34 extra runs were conceded in the sixth match of the Indian T20 League 2023, which Chennai won by 12 runs against Lucknow at the Chepauk Stadium. Twenty of those extras were wides, with Lucknow bowlers conceding seven and Chennai bowlers conceding thirteen. This forced the former Indian cricketer to give a unique suggestion to the bowlers to focus on their lines.

In a match where Chennai pacers struggled with their accuracy against the Lucknow batters, Tushar Deshpande bowled three wides and two no-balls in his first over, while Deepak Chahar bowled three consecutive wides in the 17th over. During that over, match commentator Gavaskar shared his opinion that if a bowler bowls back-to-back wides, a free hit should be given.

"After bowling two three consecutive wides, the batter should get a free hit," said Gavaskar on-air.

Former New Zealand medium pacer Simon Doull and former West Indies pacer Ian Bishop were also present in the commentary box. Bishop was not impressed with Gavaskar's suggestion, which he described as a "ridiculous idea". However, the former India opening batter believes that a free hit for two wide balls might force the bowlers to focus on their lines.

'They'll have to play under a new captain if..': Dhoni

Chennai skipper MS Dhoni was also not pleased with the number of extras his side conceded during the clash against Lucknow. He warned that if the bowlers continued to bowl wides or no balls, they would have to play under a new captain.

“They'll have to bowl no no-balls or extra wides. Or they'll have to play under a new captain. It will be my second warning and then I'll be off,” said the former India captain during the post-match presentation.

Chennai had lost their first match against Gujarat but bounced back in their second innings on the back of brilliant batting display from Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway and an outstanding four-wicket haul from Moeen Ali while defending a huge total of 218. The four-time champions, who had an underwhelming last season, are looking to win their fifth ITL title this time.