The Indian Premier League (IPL) has always been a batsman’s paradise, but the 2024 edition has taken it to unprecedented heights, according to Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper Pat Cummins. The Australian expressed his concerns after SRH’s 78-run defeat to defending champions Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk on Sunday.
This season has witnessed a staggering six totals exceeding 250, with 200 no longer considered a safe score. Prior to this edition, only two teams had ever breached the 250-run mark in IPL history.
“T20 has always favored the batters, but it has gone to a whole new level this season,” Cummins said at the post-match press conference. “The way we set up, we had the best chance if we got some really aggressive batters, and that’s the way to win the tournament.”
Cummins acknowledged the challenges faced by bowlers in the current format. “Frankly, we don’t have much (bowling) options. It’s not Test cricket, with the ball swinging around. There’s not much sideways movement, and there’s not much on the wicket either,” he said.
“So, a lot of times, the best way to get a wicket is to try and defend. Batters are getting better at hitting the ball out and even getting confident. It challenges you as a bowler. But, if you have a big total like 270-280 and if you can go at 9.00 as a bowler and make an impact, it could be match-winning.”
Analyzing the reasons for SRH’s loss to CSK, Cummins admitted that the team needs to improve its chasing abilities. “Hard to put a finger on it. Nothing really went (according to) to plan tonight. We’re pretty well-suited to chasing, but it hasn’t really come off yet. So yeah, it is something (we need) to work on,” he said.
“There was definitely dew there; haven’t seen so much at any other venue across the country. But, we failed to make the most of it, and they bowled well as well. So, it (dew) didn’t really factor in this match as much as we would have liked.”
Cummins also highlighted the need for the middle-order to step up. “Whenever the openers have gone off (to score), it’s been match-winning and crazy. In a few chases, we felt that we set up really well,” he said.
“Different batters have stepped up throughout the tournament, and you need two or three guys to make an impact. But tonight, we never really got going, unfortunately.”
As for the struggles faced by bowlers this season, Cummins suggested that the drier wickets could be a contributing factor. “Haven’t really seen too much of a difference with the (new) white ball. It doesn’t have as much swing as before, maybe because the wickets are drier. It’s a tricky format, and I don’t think there’s a lot with the new ball,” he said.
