Sachin Tendulkar wants use of helmet 'mandatory' for batsmen at professional levels

The role of protective equipment is well-defined in the field of cricket, and if they aren’t used properly, mishaps are bound to take place. Something similar happened in the current season of IPL, and legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar has come up with a tweet on the same issue. He tweeted a video of an incident that occurred in a match between KXIP and SRH when Vijay Shankar copped a blow.

Shankar got hit on the face when a forceful throw was made by KXIP fielder Nicholas Pooran. During the time, Shankar was running towards the crease to complete a run. The batting maestro has insisted on the role of the helmet in the game and feels that it should be made mandatory to maintain the best safety of the players. He tweeted requesting ICC to take this issue on priority.

“The game has become faster but is it getting safer? Recently we witnessed an incident which could’ve been nasty. Be it a spinner or pacer, wearing a HELMET should be MANDATORY for batsmen at professional levels. Request @icc to take this up on priority.”

Here are tweets by Sachin Tendulkar

The game has become faster but is it getting safer?

Recently we witnessed an incident which could’ve been nasty.

Be it a spinner or pacer, wearing a HELMET should be MANDATORY for batsmen at professional levels.

Request @icc to take this up on priority.https://t.co/7jErL3af0m

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) November 3, 2020

.@RaviShastriOfc, this also reminded me of the time when you got hit after top edging a full toss bowled by Mr. Gavaskar during an exhibition game. That could’ve been a grave injury too but thankfully wasn’t! 🙏🏻

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) November 3, 2020

He also talked about the incident when India’s current head coach Ravi Shastri got hit on the head. It happened when Shastri was on the field and tried to middle a full toss ball bowled by Sunil Gavaskar.

“@RaviShastriOfc, this also reminded me of the time when you got hit after top-edging a full toss bowled by Mr Gavaskar during an exhibition game. That could’ve been a grave injury too but thankfully wasn’t!”

The view of using a helmet with extra protective gear like a neck guard saw great support after an unfortunate incident. Australian batsman Phil Hughes died in a Sheffield Shield game in November 2014. He was hit below the helmet region on the left upper portion of his neck while he faced a bouncer from Sean Abbott.

Cricketers have been using helmet while batting, especially while facing the pacers, but sometimes they tend to avoid it, and here is when it can turn fatal for them. Tendulkar has requested the ICC to take a step to address the same issue.