Sunil Gavaskar a former Indian skipper also showed his concern about extended time matches during IPL 2026 due to on-field events as well as indiscipline during games.

Ideally IPL matches should end in three hours but this season they have regularly run beyond four hours. Though the league is still entertaining fans with thrilling finishes and exciting young talent the extended match time is beginning to wear the spectators thin.

Although the BCCI has introduced fines for slow over-rates the problem still persists. Gavaskar felt that one of the reasons for this is unnecessary movement of reserve players and support staff on the field during play.

Gavaskar wrote in his column for Mid-day:

"Often one sees the unnecessary sight of reserve players stepping onto the ground to give a bottle of water to a fielder near the boundary. This should not be allowed as it means there is more than eleven players on the field while play is going on, even if it is between deliveries."

He also criticized the situation during strategic time-outs with far too many people allowed onto the field.

He Added:

"During strategic time-outs too one often sees half a dozen people on the field including batters who are yet to come in. This is going too far. Apart from two reserve players who are carrying drinks and two members of the coaching staff nobody should be allowed on the field."

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Gavaskar urged for discipline and respect of the playing arena citing the advice of former Australia skipper Richie Benaud to emphasize the necessity of restricting the field to just the players and officials.

Gavaskar Further Stated:

"Richie Benaud once told me at the beginning of my broadcasting career that the ground is a sacred place and must be entered only by the people officiating and playing. And this is why if I am not doing a pitch report or a television show, I very rarely get onto the field. Hopefully the BCCI will also ensure that committee members with all-access accreditation do not cross the boundary. Show some respect to the sanctity of the playing field." 

Gavaskar also suggested limiting the time the batters get to take guard. In his opinion the present allocation of two minutes could be reduced.

He Concluded: 

"Since all the batters are already in the dugout, the allowance can be reduced to one minute and if still there is delay in the batter getting to the crease to face the ball, after a couple of warnings penalty runs should be enforced."

As the IPL 2026 season approaches its decisive stage Gavaskar's statements re-emphasize the urgency of enforcing rules more strictly to ensure quick and captivating matches for the fans.