IPL: Kumble suggests longer boundaries to save bowlers' morale

Cricket: Former Indian cricketer and spin maestro Anil Kumble feels that boundaries on the field need to be increased to their maximum as a relief to bowlers, PTI reported.

"It's been really hard on the bowlers, especially the first half of the tournament. I certainly believe that you need to maximize the boundaries at every venue. Try to keep the biggest boundary possible in that venue," he told select media in an interaction arranged by Jio Cinema.

At IPL this year, the score 250 was breached sight times, which was backed by shorter boundaries, flat pitches and impact player rule which back the batting side.

"For a start, you could move the dugout into the stands. I know you'll lose a few seats, but so be it. Then the other aspect is to perhaps look at white ball to have slightly more pronounced seam so that there's a bit more movement.

"We have seen that the ball stops swinging after maybe just the one over or even less than that sometimes. You need a balance between bat and ball. You can't be running in and just going through the motions where in a couple of years you won't have too many youngsters lining up to start bowling.

"Everybody wants to be a batter. You need the bowlers also to be a part of this game and the balance is very important. I expect that will also get addressed," he said.

He said, "The playing area shall be a minimum of 150 yards (137.16 metres) from boundary to boundary square of the pitch, with the shorter of the two square boundaries being a minimum of 65 yards (59.43 metres)," as per the playing conditions of IPL.

"The straight boundary at both ends of the pitch shall be a minimum of 70 yards (64.00 metres). Distances shall be measured from the centre of the pitch to be used. In all cases, the aim shall be to provide the largest playing area, subject to no boundary exceeding 85 yards (77.71 metres) from the centre of the pitch to be used," the spin legend suggested.