12 May,2024 06:17 AM IST | Mumbai | Subodh Mayure
Prof Ratnakar Shetty (left) with Sunil Gavaskar at a function in the city in 2023. Pic/mid-day archives
The recent proposal to do away with the toss in Indian domestic cricket, was first made way back in 2004, according to former BCCI Chief Administrative Officer Prof Ratnakar Shetty.
Shetty told mid-day on Sunday that the then technical committee headed by batting legend Sunil Gavaskar recommended this after a conclave for Ranji Trophy captains and coaches, but it did not get approved by the Board's Working Committee.
Pending the Apex Council's approval, there will be no toss made at the U-23 CK Nayudu games from the 2024-25 season.
"When Gavaskar was BCCI's technical committee chairman in 2003, he started a conclave for domestic captains and coaches. In 2004, the technical committee communicated to the Board that they had discussed suggestions and recommended those for consideration. At that time, there was also talk of teams in England playing without the toss, but we [BCCI] did not implement that. BCCI received a recommendation from his [Gavaskar's] committee which included two important things - to play five-day Ranji Trophy matches [as against four days in the initial stage of the tournament] and eliminate the toss. But it didn't get approved by the BCCI's Working Committee," said Shetty.
Recently, the four-member group comprising India's head coach Rahul Dravid, National Cricket Academy chief VVS Laxman, chief selector Ajit Agarkar and ex-India pacer Abey Kuruvilla, who is BCCI's General Manager, submitted a proposal to BCCI secretary Jay Shah in which they felt the toss should be done away with in the upcoming U-23 CK Nayudu Trophy. The visiting captain gets to choose if he wants to bat or bowl first.
"They [BCCI] are trying it at the CK Nayudu Trophy instead of Ranji Trophy, so at least we will get feedback," Shetty remarked.
Meanwhile, former Mumbai U-23 head coach Vilas Godbole, who guided the team to CK Nayudu triumphs in 2012-13 and 2013-14, welcomed the idea. "The BCCI appears to have taken this suggestion on board because pitches are prepared according to the home team's strength. It's a good move," the former first-class cricketer said.
When asked whether this decision will give visiting teams some advantage, he remarked: "Someone will get an advantage, but it may help make pitches sporting and there will be no tampering of pitches."
Current Mumbai U-23 head coach Rajesh Pawar, who guided Mumbai to the CK Nayudu Trophy win in 2021-22 followed by a runner-up finish in 2022-23, also hailed the change. "It's a good decision, because on most occasions teams get the home advantage through the pitch. Now teams will get fair, sporting pitches. Yes, there are some advantages and some disadvantages in every situation but in this case, there will be more advantages for visiting teams. We will get a better idea after the season concludes," Pawar remarked.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Hardik Tamore, who led Mumbai to victory in the 2021-22 CK Nayudu Trophy (it was an U-25 tournament in that season), said: "Henceforth, there will be no home advantage for the hosts and the match will last four days [as per stipulation]. This move will help improve domestic cricket," Tamore said from Yorkshire, where he is playing club cricket for Sheriff Hutton Bridge CC.
