Virender Sehwag Dislikes the Mandatory Use of Neck Pads

Virender Sehwag Dislikes the Mandatory Use of Neck Pads

Steve Smith, who scored back to back centuries in the first Ashes Test 2019 at Edgbaston, was hit by a bouncer from Jofra Archer in the second Ashes 2019 test match. As a result, he will not play the third Test at Headingley because of the concussion he suffered at Lord's.

This incident led BCCI to reflect on the well-being of Indian cricketers. Recently, the apex agency informed players of the importance of wearing a concussion helmet. However, the board has left it up to players to decide whether to use neck guards on their helmets. The former opener, Virender Sehwag, explained the problem of using mandatory neck guards. He was almost opposed to such a thing being made mandatory.

"I've never used a breast protector in my life... So I don't think I need neck guards. The batsmen have the bat in hand, the helmet on their heads, what more do you need? The ICC has only allowed two bouncers".

While Virender took it lightly, Harbhajan Singh, a former Indian bowler felt that neck guards could not be made mandatory based on Smith's technique alone.

"I would always listen to what Sunil Gavaskar has to say about short balls. Look at the ball until the last moment. But the strange delivery will hit you. It's all about the technique. Look at the bowlers of yesteryear. Michael Holding, Malcolm Marshall, Imran Khan and, in this day and age, Shoaib Akhtar, Brett Lee. They were all fast".

"You can't tell a young person to copy Steve Smith's technique. It's very unique and very effective. But only for him. Besides, not every team has a pitcher similar to Jofra Archer.