Last Updated on 2 minutes ago by Charbel Coorey
Saturday April 25, 2026 will be remembered as a day where bowlers were mere bowling machines in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Batters hammered 986 runs with 57 sixes in 77.2 overs of utter carnage, with Delhi Capitals’ 264/2 mowed down with seven balls to spare by the Punjab Kings.
KL Rahul’s 152* off 67 balls was in a losing effort. As was Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s 37-ball 100 in the second game, where Sunrisers Hyderabad made a mockery of Rajasthan Royals’ 228.
The events led to concern among fans. Many believe the imbalance between bat and ball reduces the product to a shootout rather than a battle. In fact, the introduction of the impact player rule in 2023 has coincided with a whopping 214% increase in the number of 200+ totals compared to the previous four seasons (2019-2022).
ALSO READ: 3 rule changes the IPL should look at for better balance between bat and ball
Fans call for sporting pitches to enable more balance between bat and ball in the IPL
So, what’s the answer? Fans and pundits, including Ian Bishop, have taken to social media to express their worry and call for more balanced pitches in the IPL.
Some fans shared views on the powerplay plus the impact this could have on up-and-coming cricketers in India.
“I know that I would be called a nostalgia merchant but this bat v bat contest is becoming a bit boring,” wrote Bharath Ramaraj, Principal Correspondent at RevSportz Global.
“Ipl is a joke for bowlers, if you want to motivate next generation cricketer then I don’t think anyone want to become bowler. Don’t cry later on once Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami kind of blower will retire and we will never get anyone like them,” wrote Sujeet Suman of The Cricket Connect YouTube channel.
ALSO READ: 3 rule changes the IPL should look at for better balance between bat and ball
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