India's captain Rohit Sharma captivated the audience at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack with an explosive innings of 119 runs against England on Sunday. Rohit achieved his 32nd ODI century in a mere 76 balls, laying a solid foundation for India's successful run chase, which included 12 boundaries and 7 sixes. However, following his dismissal, as Axar Patel took to the crease, cricketing legend Sunil Gavaskar ignited a discussion regarding the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and the recent modifications to certain cricketing regulations.

In March 2022, the MCC eliminated the provision allowing batters to cross when the ball is airborne, thereby mandating that only the new batter would face the next delivery. This change means that a non-striker can no longer manipulate the strike in such situations. Although nearly three years have passed since this rule was revised, Gavaskar expressed curiosity about the rationale behind this decision. He suggested that the MCC should include individuals with international playing experience, proposing that former Indian player, captain, and coach Rahul Dravid would be an excellent addition, alongside other cricketing legends.

"The laws are established by the MCC. Currently, the authority over these laws rests with the MCC, a private club that governs the rules of international cricket globally. I believe it is essential to have some international experience represented. Perhaps former captains should be included. Names like Graeme Smith, Rahul Dravid—someone who has been a recent coach—and Ricky Ponting, who has extensive experience, come to mind. These are the individuals I think should be part of that laws committee. It is crucial to have playing experience in that group, and I am uncertain if the current committee possesses sufficient international expertise," Gavaskar remarked shortly after Rohit was dismissed, caught by Adil Rashid off Liam Livingstone.

Where does Gavaskar's concern stem from?

Sunil Gavaskar expressed his scepticism regarding the necessity of altering the rule in the first place. The modification was initially observed in The Hundred, with its implementation occurring in October 2022. Over the past four to five years, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has introduced several protocols, including the prohibition of saliva and the classification of the controversial 'Mankad' dismissal as a standard run-out. While both of these adjustments were justifiable in light of the global impact of COVID-19 and the debates surrounding 'Mankad,' Gavaskar questioned whether there was a genuine need to amend the crossing rule.

"There is indeed umpiring experience, particularly with Simon Taufel involved. However, any change in law should be supported by a rationale. For instance, the regulations regarding two bouncers per over, one bouncer per over, or the stipulation of 90 overs in a day were all based on specific reasons. I am uncertain if there was a valid reason to modify the law concerning the non-striker's position when players cross ends, particularly when the batter who played the ball is dismissed and caught. I believe this aspect holds significant importance for television as well," the cricketing icon remarked.

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