Discrimination against bowlers has been deeply embedded in cricket’s roots for centuries. Batting was a classy and elegant, elitist skill for the high society and bowling became the role given to the labourer. Even as these stereotypes began to fade out of the game, it was the bowlers that continued to be unfairly treated. Bowlers are paid less, and they also face a lack of sponsorships and good deals. While prejudice against the bowlers may be what makes the rivalry between bat and ball so good, with the invention of the shortest format and the IPL, everything seems to be stacked against the bowler.
The IPL has turned the cricket into less of a contest and more of a six-hitting paradise. The imbalance is no longer just an off-field issue and the numbers show. As a result, the shift has left many to question whether the batting domination in the IPL could break into other formats.
In 2008 the average first innings total in the IPL was 163.30 and in 2026 that number was up to 192.04. This IPL edition there was sixty-one 200+ scores but if we go back to 2009 there was just one. Before, 200 runs seemed massive, but now that number seems a lot smaller, and is often not enough for a win. So, what actually are the reasons for this batting superiority?
The IPL is known for gigantic totals, big sixes, rapid scoring and pure power hitting. People come to watch the shortest format as a refresher from the long and gruelling five-day game, it allows fans to take a break and get some constant excitement. In short, T20s remove the boring parts of the game. However, many believe yorkers and slower balls that try to prevent runs rather than gain wickets make bowling in the IPL no more exciting than in a First-Class match. With 92% fans being interested in T20 cricket (making it the most popular format) it’s no surprise that T20 leagues cater to what their fans want instead, of what is best for the overall game.
Boundaries have got smaller whilst bats have got bigger and combined with the fact that modern gym training is now so effective, it has become easier than ever to hit a six. Sixes should be ultimate reward for a batter, but this is no longer the case. Good balls go for six, bad balls go for six. Recently, the line between a ball that goes for six and ball that doesn’t has become very thin, and with the massive decrease the size of playing area, even mistimed shots and edges go flying over the rope.
In addition, groundsmen in the IPL produce flat tracks built for bullying bowlers. A flat wicket means there is little spin, swing or seam movement and the bounce and pace become predictable. Due to the fact they prepare such roads, the pitch offers bowlers little, if any, help and makes it very easy for batters to pick up line and length and react. Consequently, batsmen can smash ball out the park with minimal effort. Combine the pitch with the white ball that is almost impossible to shine and stops swinging after a few overs the role of bowling has become close to impossible.
Furthermore, the addition of the impact sub has made things even tougher for bowlers. The impact sub allows teams to have a substitution at any point in the game, and this can often turn the game from being 11v11 to 12v12. A good example where batters would benefit is if a side bowls first and then in the second innings, they bring on an extra batter to replace one of their bowlers. To sum it up, teams would lose no bowling options and would be able to have an extra batter meaning their top order goes from 6-7 batters to 7-8 and this can lead to a huge difference in the number of runs scored.
Finally, the powerplay forces bowlers to only have two fielders out in the first six overs. This is significant because it means you only have to hit the ball 30 yards on most parts of the ground and will likely get at least four. Even after the six overs runs hardly dry up as batters can easily clear the fielders on the rope.
Despite the fact that T20 cricket (especially the IPL) is so unbalanced many argue that fans don’t want a contest and would rather see big sixes and fast scoring. The IPL is sold to us as an entertainment product so panders to what the crowds want. High scores keep fans engaged and bring them back. Therefore, this leads many to believe that the IPL has not ruined anything but instead improved it. If fans no longer want a contest, how can we say it’s been ruined?
It may take time, maybe a few years at the minimum, but people will get bored. When our brains get so used to something (in this case the power hitting and massive totals) it gets repetitive and we no longer find it interesting. In my opinion, eventually we will beg for more competitive battles between bat and ball and the IPL and other T20 leagues will not be able to say no. If the IPL is no longer entertaining to us, we won’t watch it, and if we don’t watch it, they won’t make money so they will be forced to find ways to make the game more equal for bowlers and batters.
Struck for a duck 
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