Quantcast

Unusual Tendulkar rule change approved

School cricket teams in Mumbai will field an extra three players in their sides after accepting a proposal from the Little Master

School cricket teams in Mumbai will select a XIV instead of an XI this season after the Mumbai Cricket Association adopted an out-of-the-box suggestion from India legend Sachin Tendulkar.

The MCA confirmed that schools will be able to field 14 players in their team instead of 11 for the upcoming season, though only 11 players will be able to bat in an innings and field at any one time. All 14 players will be allowed to bowl and rolling substitutions in the field will be permitted.

Tendulkar has been a major proponent of the rule change at school level, insisting it will give more young cricketers a chance to play.

Quick Single: Indore meltdown a lesson for Black Caps

“Six more players will now get an opportunity in every game,” Test cricket’s all-time leading run-scorer told the Hindustan Times. “That’s going to be incredible. It is all about encouragement.

“If the boys are missing their school and leaving academics to play cricket then they should be either bowling or batting.

“Otherwise they would be wasting their time.

“Now, all (14) players in the team will have some performance to share with their neighbours. The whole idea is to encourage them by creating more opportunities.”

Ashwin masterclass rips NZ apart

Tendulkar also suggested the move would see more variation in bowling attacks while teams will be able to draw on greater batting depth.

“A batsman will get a variety of bowlers to face,” the 43-year-old said.

“Similarly for a bowler, all his wickets would be of a proper batsman,”

Quick Single: Wade, Shamsi fined after ODI incident

Born and bred in Bombay (now Mumbai), Tendulkar originally made the proposal to increase the amount of players selected for school matches at a retirement function in 2013, suggesting up to 15 players would play in school games during his youth.

“When I played club cricket, 15 players would get the chance to showcase their batting and bowling ability in matches,” he said at the time.

“I wish more kids could be given the same. Selectors will also benefit from having more players to choose from. As a former cricketer, this is what I feel.”