The ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has been a high-scoring one. There have been eight instances of 250-plus scores which was rare before this season. The team managements have exploited the ‘impact player’ rule and the batters have not refrained from taking risks. Meanwhile, the bowlers have called for a need to push the boundaries, abolish the ‘impact player’ rule and preparation for better pitches to bring more balance between bat and ball. Former Indian leg-spinner Anil Kumble understands the bowlers’ sentiments and feels that the boundaries should be pushed even if it means at the cost of a few seats.
"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 and keep the biggest boundary possible in that venue," Kumble was quoted as saying by PTI during a media interaction arranged by JioCinema.
"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.”
Kumble feels it is demoralising for budding bowlers which makes the need for bringing balance to the game even more legitimate.
"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.
Here are the minimum ground dimensions as per playing conditions of the IPL
"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 65 yards (59.43 metres).
"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."
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