IPL 2024 Pitch Curator Reveals Alarming Reason Behind Big Totals, Says 'BCCI Tells Us...' | EXCLUSIVE

IPL 2024 pitch curator reveals alarming reason behind big totals. (BCCI)

IPL 2024 : The 2024 Indian Premier League ( IPL ) season has been rewriting the record books, not for bowling heroics, but for a never-before-seen offensive masterclass by batters. This season is witnessing a mind-boggling dominance of bat over the ball, leading to a constant barrage of huge totals that has left many questioning the game's balance.

The trend became undeniable after the record-shattering encounter between KKR and PBKS. KKR's mammoth 262, which would have been a match-winning score in any other season, was chased down by PBKS in a mere 18.4 overs – the most successful chase in T20 history. This wasn't a one-off; the season is littered with similar high-scoring encounters, with 260 plus runs scored as many as seven times in IPL 2024.

Several factors are contributing to this batting bonanza. Flatter pitches with shorter boundaries, designed to prioritize entertainment, offer minor assistance to bowlers. Modern bats, crafted from revolutionary materials, turn mishits into boundaries. Additionally, the ever-growing influence of T20 cricket, with its emphasis on aggressive strokeplay, might be influencing player mindsets, prioritizing six-hitting over calculated risk-taking.

While fans initially revelled in the spectacle of sixes raining down, concerns are growing. With scores consistently exceeding 200, the drama of close finishes and low-scoring thrillers is seemingly heading towards being a thing of the past. The worry is that the essence of T20 cricket – a tight contest between bat and ball – is being lost in the pursuit of pure power hitting. Sports Now spoke to those in the knowhow of preparing surfaces and why this trend is more prominent than ever before.

Climate Change Affecting Cricket Pitches

While factors like smaller boundaries and powerful bats play a role, a lesser-discussed culprit might be lurking beneath the surface – climate change. Traditionally, Indian pitches have offered a good balance between bat and ball. Spinners thrived on drier surfaces, while pacers enjoyed early swing and seam movement with some moisture. However, this season seems different. Rising temperatures and erratic rainfall patterns linked to climate change are affecting pitch behaviour. Explaining this, a curator who has been involved with the IPL and its surfaces said, "The present year's heat is very high, and because of this, the moisture retention of all pitches across the country has been lower. The moisture balance is not sustaining as needed for a T20 game. This overhead condition is affecting the nature of the pitch. This aspect is different from what it was in previous years."

"High temperatures, dry weather, and harsh summers are making it difficult. No rains are occurring either, which would have cooled down the weather and helped in some dew formation. Night and day temperatures would have been different. It's a peculiar case of weather transition this year," he explained.

Pacers Suffering The Most

More than 700 sixes have already been hit in IPL 2024. Bowlers are going at over 10 runs per over, and the pacers are facing the brunt of the batter's wrath.

"Pacers are affected the most because batters are playing freely and hitting through the line. Spinners are not affected so much, as compared to the fast bowlers. One must also remember that spinners mostly bowl during the middle overs. So that gives a cushion," the curator, who did not wish to be named," added.

Another thing that curators tried at the start of the tournament was leaving grass on the surface. Grass with moisture would have helped the pacers. At least a little moisture would have helped, which would have made run scoring a little bit harder in the Powerplay."

"But the pitches are playing true - which means the ball is coming onto the bat very well. Wickets which are slowish would help the bowlers more."

"However, as curators, we want the match to be close and not one-sided. If we provide turners, scores will come down," he said.

KKR have failed to defend scores of more than 220 twice in IPL 2024. During KKR vs PBKS, a total of 523 runs were scored, but the Eden Gardens pitch curator, Sujan Mukherjee, stands by his point that Eden is a sporting wicket. "KKR's Sunil Narine got the ball to turn, so it is not like Eden has gone completely in favour of batters. One must also remember that the kind of bats and the power of batters will invariably lead to sixes. We always try to make good pitches, and BCCI tells us to make sporting wickets. I am satisfied with the Eden surface, so that will be offered," Mukherjee said.

Pundits Ponder Over Concern

The Prince of Eden Gardens, former India captain Sourav Ganguly, has raised concerns over the one-sided contest between bat and ball in the ongoing IPL season. "Not easy for the bowlers. They are being carted all over, and that's one area that needs to be looked at in the future, the balance between bat and ball," said Ganguly while stressing the need to regain some equality. Another India legend, Sunil Gavaskar, had called for larger boundaries. Current India spinner R Ashwin took to social media and wrote 'Save the bowlers'. KKR assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate acknowledged that "It's all in the batter's favour", and hence, bowlers need to find "innovative ways with a touch of "anti-skill" to challenge the range-hitting batsmen in the ongoing IPL. Sri Lankan legend Mutthiah Muralitharan, too, has stated that last year he had spotted spinner-friendly tracks, but this time, it's been all flat decks.

Looking ahead, the IPL needs to find a way to restore balance. Discussions about pitch preparation and exploring or tweaking strategic rules might be necessary. The focus should be on creating a contest where exceptional batting performances are complemented by equally skillful bowling displays, ensuring the IPL remains the cricketing spectacle it was always meant to be.

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