Do you remember when a 200-plus score used to be a big deal in the T20 matches? Well, now it’s different. It was a record during the 2023 IPL edition where most scores were above 200, where a total of 37 such targets took place in the entire season. But as of 2024, only a few matches have been played but we have already encountered 35 innings scoring above 200.
We are seeing scores like 240,250 regularly- Sourav Ganguly
During an interview with PTI, Sourav Ganguly explained the changing nature of the T20 Cricket format and mentioned that in the upcoming times, we will be witnessing such high scores in the T20 format.
“This is going to be the trend in the years to come. T20 cricket has become a power-oriented game and that’s what it is going to be. I was reading Sanju Samson’s comments the other day, where he said there’s no time to settle down in modern T20s. You just have to hit, and that’s the way it is going to be,” Sourav Ganguly stated.
The former Indian batter also justified that the preparation of pitches and the dimensions of stadiums play significant roles in determining the nature of cricket matches. High-scoring matches can be thrilling for fans, but they also raise questions about the balance between bat and ball and the overall integrity of the game.
“Now, in IPL we are seeing scores like 240, 250 regularly. The main reasons are good batting wickets and the grounds are also not big in India. In the last game between Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan (Royals), 26 sixes were hit in a 40-over game, which is almost one six every over. That’s how this game has gone and that’s how the players have started approaching the game,” he added.
Sourav Ganguly’s take on Impact Substitute Rule
There is one other factor that influenced the trend, and that is the ‘Impact Player’ rule.
The Impact Player rule in the IPL has indeed stirred up discussions within cricketing circles. Similar to the ‘Super Sub’ rule in ODIs, it introduces an element of strategy and flexibility for teams. This rule allows teams to replace a player who has bowled fewer than two overs or batted and faced fewer than ten balls, with another player from their squad during the match.
By enabling teams to adapt their lineup based on match conditions and individual performances, the Impact Player rule adds a layer of intrigue to IPL matches. It can influence tactical decisions and potentially change the course of a game. However, like any new rule, it also invites scrutiny and debate regarding its impact on the balance of the game and the fairness of competition.
“The Impact Player rule, where every team has the possibility of adding another batsman, has also added another dimension to it,” Ganguly concluded.