The Indian Premier League (IPL) has witnessed a paradigm shift in batting strategies, with teams consistently posting mammoth totals. This has forced bowlers to adapt and adopt unconventional tactics to counter the aggressive approach of batsmen.
Ryan ten Doeschate, assistant coach of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), emphasized the need for bowlers to employ “anti-skill” tactics. He believes that bowlers can no longer rely on traditional methods and must find innovative ways to challenge batsmen.
“When you get past 160, you can almost pack your bag and feel you’re going to win the game. Now, you need 160 before the 13th over to have a chance to get a big score,” Doeschate said.
He cited the example of Sam Curran’s dismissal of Phil Salt, where Curran bowled a slower ball that deceived the batsman. Doeschate believes that bowlers must come up with such innovative strategies to stay ahead of the curve.
“We have to come up with innovative ways… I feel sorry for the bowlers, but those are the realities,” he added.
Doeschate also urged KKR’s bowlers to embrace the challenge and find new ways to restrict batsmen. He revealed that Mitchell Starc is set to return soon, which will provide depth to KKR’s bowling attack.
Meanwhile, Punjab Kings’ Prabhsimran Singh praised the Impact Substitute rule, which allows teams to replace a player during the match. He believes that it provides opportunities for youngsters to showcase their talent.
Singh played a crucial role in Punjab Kings’ record chase against KKR, scoring 25 runs off 12 balls. He highlighted the team’s strategy to capitalize on the powerplay and praised Jonny Bairstow’s match-winning century.
“We had a plan to go after the bowlers in the powerplay and it worked out well for us. Jonny Bairstow played a brilliant innings and took the game away from KKR,” Singh said.
The IPL has become a breeding ground for innovative tactics and strategies, with teams constantly pushing the boundaries of the game. As batting continues to dominate, bowlers must adapt and find new ways to counter the onslaught.
