Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has written to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), urging the governing body to introduce stricter measures in the Indian Premier League (IPL) to curb match delays and restore the intended pace of the T20 format. His remarks come amid growing concerns over increasingly long match durations in the ongoing season.

According to reports, IPL 2026 has featured several closely contested matches and high-scoring encounters, but the length of games has become a point of criticism. Despite the format being designed for a three-hour completion window, several matches have extended well beyond four hours, affecting viewer engagement. The contest between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Mumbai Indians was highlighted as the longest of the season, lasting 4 hours and 22 minutes.

Gavaskar, in his column, pointed out what he described as unnecessary interruptions during matches, particularly the movement of reserve players and support staff onto the field. He noted that even between deliveries, players are often seen carrying drinks or entering the playing area during strategic time-outs, which he believes disrupts the flow of the game. He suggested limiting on-field access strictly to essential personnel, including only a few designated support members.

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Referencing former commentator Richie Benaud, Gavaskar stressed that the playing field should be treated as a “sacred space” meant only for officials and players. He added that unnecessary access by individuals with broad accreditation privileges should also be restricted to maintain discipline and preserve the integrity of the game environment.

He further proposed a reduction in the time allowed for incoming batters, suggesting that the current two-minute allowance be reduced to one minute. Gavaskar also indicated that repeated delays should attract penalties, including possible penalty runs, to ensure stricter compliance and faster gameplay.

While the BCCI has already introduced fines and match bans for captains in cases of slow over rates, Gavaskar’s intervention highlights that the issue continues to persist. His suggestions aim to address not just over-rate violations but also broader on-field practices that, according to him, are contributing to the growing duration of IPL matches and affecting the spectator experience.

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