The big scores and record-breaking chases has led to questions being raised on batting-friendly fat pitches. On April 29, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) chased down 244 with eight balls to spare against Mumbai Indians (MI) at Wankhede Stadium. Even Jasprit Bumrah went for 54 runs and remained wicketless. It led to questions being asked from legendary Sri Lankan skipper Muttiah Muralitharan about whether there is need to provide fair pitches and push the boundaries to have balance between bat and ball. The SRH bowling coach feels pushing the boundary won't help. Also, fair pitches are being prepared to provide entertainment to spectators. IPL is business and people will lose interest if there are no big scores.
"I don't think pushing the boundary [ropes], when the ball is flying over the ropes everywhere, [will change things]," Muralitharan told the media after SRH’s fifth win on the trot.
"I think if we give fair wickets, the spectators will say it's become boring because the T20 followers want entertainment, so they want to see the fours and sixes. That's why the tournament is built like that - an extra player to come and bat [impact player]. It is a big business at the moment, sponsors and everything, so you will lose the sponsors and interest of the people [if you change it].”
Muralitharan on SRH starting the trend
Muralitharan said that SRH started the trend of going hard after the bowlers and other teams have followed suit. He expects bowlers to step up and evolve.
"I think this will continue, but over a period, bowlers will try to adapt, it will take some time. Sunrisers started this [power-hitting] and now everyone is adapting, so now the bowlers will go back [from] this tournament, [and figure out] how we can contain. They will come up with something, and the batsmen will find something else - this is the way the modern cricketers are going," he said.
The increase in average powerplay score
Muralitharan pointed out that batters have stopped caring about their wicket and the average score in powerplay has gone up by 20-30 runs.
"It's very difficult for a bowler because these days, because of every team, not only us [SRH], has an opening [pair] that doesn't care about in or out, they just go after the bowling. When we used to playm about 40 to 50 runs was a good score with one wicket losing in six overs, now the average is 70 to 80,” said the 54-year-old.
Despite the high-scoring games, SRH’s Eshan Malinga is now in possession of purple cap with 15 wickets to his name. After a win over MI, SRH climbed one spot to take the third spot on the points table.