Last Updated on 2 hours ago by Charbel Coorey

Two IPL matches. 986 runs. 57 sixes. KL Rahul hammers 152* off 67 balls in one game. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi clobbers 103 off 37 balls in the other. Both ended up on the losing team.

Saturday April 25, 2026 will go down as one of the most extraordinary days in not only the Indian Premier League (IPL), but T20 cricket as a whole. Bowlers were reduced to mere bowling machines as the batters had their way on flat pitches, with massive scores mowed down with ease.

I wonder what the administrators think while watching the carnage unfold. It is plausible to believe that those in the suits are happy as long as fans continue to tune in. However, many cricket lovers united as one in their views on the batter-dominant proceedings. Ian Bishop took to X (formerly Twitter) and called for more balanced pitches.

“It’s a “worthwhile discussion about balance between bat & ball”. My view is unchanged. Curators these days are very skilled,” Bishop wrote.

“The solution lies in leaving a little something in the pitches; seam, bounce or spin, 8 out of 10 times we’ll get those very interesting 160 to 190 games.”

While Bishop’s view is spot on, will the BCCI brief curators to execute such a plan? Or is the plethora of fours and sixes highest on the agenda? One must admire the skill of the batters on show, but matches are often reduced to shootouts rather than battles.

3 rule changes that can see more of a balance between bat and ball in the IPL

Let’s assume flat pitches will remain part of the T20/IPL identity and the impact player rule remains even after 2027. There are still changes that can be made to ensure more of a contest, especially given the short boundaries on many grounds.

Here is a look at three potential rule changes that can make cricket more of a battle between bat and ball.

1. Alter the powerplay

The impact player rule has seen 200+ scores become the norm, rather than the exception. Since the change in 2023, 200+ scores are up 214% on the previous four years, and we’re only halfway through IPL 2026.

Bowlers are on a hiding to nothing, especially in the powerplay. Batters are more skilled and powerful than ever in T20 cricket, and are going all out in the first six overs on flat pitches with the insurance of an impact player to boot.

The first step should be to alter the powerplay. There are four ways this can be done:

• Option 1: Reduce the powerplay to two or four overs (at the very most).
• Option 2: Keep the powerplay at six overs, but allow for four fielders outside the circle instead of two.
• Option 3: Give the batting team the choice of two “Power Surge” overs anytime between the first and 18th over where only two fielders are allowed out.
• Option 4: Remove the powerplay altogether.

2. Two bowlers can bowl 5 overs

A team’s two best bowlers bowling five overs will add more of a balance.

Some might argue that teams could simply add even more batting power to their XII, but those extra two overs mean that sides stacked with batting all-rounders can still end up conceding big totals.

At the same time, those two overs can make a difference. Big hitters will have to deal more with the best a team’s attack has to deliver, adding another interesting dimension in the bowling team’s favour.

3. Allow for additional bouncer in an over

This one could be a contentious rule change given the safety element of allowing an extra delivery above the batter’s shoulder. However, it gives the bowlers another option and adds a bit more uncertainty for the batting team.

Are there any other rule changes you’d like to see? Share them on the comments or get in touch on X via @cric_blog.