The BCCI Technical Committee’s proposals to introduce sweeping changes in the Ranji Trophy points system have evoked a mixed reaction.
The key to the effectiveness of the new system would be in the preparation of pitches and how effectively the process is monitored.
The panel has recommended that the present system of awarding three points for first-innings lead should be done away with. Instead, teams would be given a point for reaching 300 in 85 overs or picking up seven wickets during the same period; both in the first innings.
The reward for teams winning outright — six plus a bonus point for an innings victory or a ten-wicket verdict — remains the same. The emphasis is on playing for a win.
Former India batsman and present secretary of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) Brijesh Patel was vehemently opposed to the idea. Karnataka has been the dominant side in the Ranji Trophy, triumphing in the last two editions of the competition.
UnfairPatel said to The Hindu on Wednesday, “The proposed system is unfair and will encourage preparation of bad pitches, which will harm batsmen and provide an exaggerated account of a bowler’s abilities.”
Elaborating his point, Patel said, “Supposing my team had a good match against another side, scored 500, restricted the opposition to 300 odd but just failed to get an outright win. How is it fair that both of us end up with a point each? Then the other side forces an outright win on an under-prepared pitch in the next game. Tell me how will my team make up?”
Patel said, “In any case, six to eight hours of play are lost every match in North Zone during winters. How will those teams achieve an outright result? Eventually, only the kind of surface where the match will end in two days would be prepared. And no association is ever banned for preparing a sub-standard track, no action is ever taken. Tell me, how we will keep a track on the quality of pitches.”
He added, “You can give more points for an outright win. But the three points for the lead should stay.”
Asked about his take on the subject, Mumbai coach Pravin Amre said to this newspaper, “The panel wants to reward positive cricket. It wants to see more outright results.”
But then, would not the drive to reach 300 in 85 overs gradually take the already threatened classical element out of batsmanship making it very hard for India to produce a Sunil Gavaskar or a Rahul Dravid in the future? Clean and decisive footwork has shown a disturbing decline.
“Not really,” responded Amre. “When I used to coach club sides, I used to set a target of 360 in 90 overs. If you see the Australians, they are very positive in their approach, they are also technically sound.”
Amre believed the proposals would encourage captains to set attacking fields. And bowlers would be asked to go for wickets.
The former India batsman felt the pitches would play an important role here. “The match referee and the umpires need to be en-powered so there is no doctoring of pitches to suit home team’s requirements.”
It must be mentioned here that the BCCI panel has suggested measures to take punitive action against the erring associations. Yet, given the complexities of the Board, this is easier said than done.
Amre was also apprehensive that it might be hard to secure a result in four days. “For all league games, we should have a fifth reserve day in case there is no result in four days.”
Former India swing bowler Balwinder Singh Sandhu said two teams could “manipulate things,” ensuring both secured the batting and the bowling points. “We had a points-for-wicket system in the 80s that came under a lot of suspicion. The umpires will need to watch very carefully,” he said.
Tamil Nadu coach W. V. Raman said the BCCI panel’s proposals were intended to “change the approach and mindset of teams and players,” and needed to be applauded.
He told this newspaper, “We need to give the new rules at least a year before we can debate its pros and cons. On the face of it, they look good.”
Raman added, “There is a definite drive towards achieving an outright result. Teams will not be playing for the first-innings lead anymore which encourages a more aggressive form of cricket.”
Former India batsman S. Badrinath, who captained Vidarbha this season, said to The Hindu , “It should encourage result-oriented cricket. But sporting pitches should be prepared.”
