‘Irritated’ Shubman Gill proposes astonishing solution to prevent rain wash outs in cricket

The 2^nd ODI between India and New Zealand was abandoned due to rain on Sunday. Shubman Gill, who was playing pretty well for his unbeaten 45 off 42, expressed disappointment over the same. The Indian batter feels that both fans and players get irritated when rain interrupts a cricket game and wants the cricket boards to opt for the matches to be held inside closed doors.

“This is a decision (playing in indoor stadiums) to be taken by the boards. As a player and as fans, it is irritating to go in and out and see so many matches being affected by rain. But I don’t know how I can take a stand for it as it is a big decision.

“Obviously closed (retractable) roof (stadiums) would be good,” the youngster told media persons after the second ODI was abandoned with only 12.5 overs being bowled.

Another problem with rain-affected games is that the teams find it difficult to plan the innings as it can reduce a significant number of overs during the innings.

“It was very frustrating. You don’t know how many overs so you can’t plan your innings,” Gill, who had hit a purple patch in 50-over cricket, said.

In modern-day games, batters tend to play aggressively and 300-run totals are no longer looked as a winning score. Gill, however, reckons that scoring 400-plus would still be a rate feat in one-day cricket.

“The totals like 400 to 450 will happen in one or two games a year. More or less, it will be targets around 300 plus range, which are more probable ones. It also depends on conditions that you are batting — first batting or chase. But 400 plus scores in every match isn’t an achievable target,” he opined.

Gill is a strong contender for a place in the squad of 15 for next year’s ODI World Cup but he said that he isn’t looking that far ahead.

“I am not looking that far ahead and my aim is to make most of the opportunities that I am getting. That’s what I am trying to do and make most of the opportunities that I get, trying to score big runs for the team,” he stated.