Slower Pitches, Lower Scores in IPL

With multiple games being played on the same pitch, the pitches have become slow. This has resulted in low scoring games, reports Vijayhardik. An exclusive for Different Truths.

The current season of the Indian Premier has produced some high-octane action. From nervy super overs to some audacious power-hitting everything was on display. The high scores livened up the viewing experience.

With only three grounds available for the games, it is hard to prepare a new pitch for every game. The same 22-yards being used over multiple games has tired the pitches. The bounce and speed of the pitch have died down.

The fast bowlers are relying on pace variations and the yorker rather than raw pace. The spinners who were playing second fiddle are now taking centre stage. The match that took place yesterday at Sharjah, showed how the pitches are slowing down.

Sharjah, the ground which saw scores over 200 in almost every match saw batsmen struggle. The batting line-ups of both Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders boast of many power hitters. But none of them got into a free-flowing inning.

We saw the likes of Aaron Finch and Virat Kohli is known for their timing and sublime shot-making were not able to meet the ball properly. Kamlesh Nagarkoti effectively used the slower ball against them. The difference between the teams was an AB de Villiers special. His blitzkrieg 73 propelled Bangalore to the score of 193.

This big total onboard helped the Bangalore bowlers to put pressure on the Kolkata batsmen. The innings never got going. With Bangalore bowling tight lines, it was hard to get the ball to the boundary. But it was the guile and craft of Yuzvendra Chahal and Washington Sundar that was the highlight of the match.

The previous few games of the IPL were also low scoring encounters. The clash between Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders started the games which saw par scores. With slow pitches and providing some aid to the bowlers, there have been improved bowling performances. Chennai bowlers kept Kolkata in check and bowled them out for 167.

The batting however as it has let them down throughout the tournament provided an encore. The slow start that has become synonymous with them this season again let them down in a chase. Leaving the chase, a little too late, the firepower towards the end was not enough to secure them a victory. The same story was repeated by Chennai a few days later against Bangalore. This season is surely shaping to be the worst season in IPL history for Chennai Super Kings.

Kings XI Punjab, the team languishing at the bottom of the table just cannot seem to find a way to win a match. Punjab put a great show of bowling on display. A half-century from Shubman Gill and quickfire fifty from captain Dinesh Karthik helped Kolkata Knight Riders post a total of 164.

The way the opening duo of Punjab, KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal started the innings firing on all cylinders. The hapless bowlers had no answers. They put on another century stand. Punjab was the likely winner of the match. They somehow managed to snatch to defeat from the jaws of victory.

They had to get 20 runs off 18 balls with 8 wickets remaining. Kings XI Punjab found a way to lose the match by two runs. The match between Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians played out in a similar vein. Except the Mumbai batsmen kept their cool and took the team to victory.

There were only two high scoring games in the week. The first match was played between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kings XI Punjab. The other match saw Delhi Capitals lock horns with Rajasthan Royals.

The dynamic opening duo of David Warner and Jonny Bairstow once again played the game they are known for. Bairstow being the aggressor of the two went to score a majestic 97, missing out on a century by three runs. The quick wickets of Bairstow and Warner did not stymie the scoring. While losing quick wickets, the Sunrisers kept scoring to end the innings at 201.

The Kings XI batting performance was not up to the mark. They were folding like a pack of cards. Swashbuckling southpaw Nicholas Pooran who gave a semblance of a fight and kept the game alive until he dismissed for 77.

Playing at their cherished ground Sharjah, the Rajasthan Royals lost their game against Mumbai Indians for repeating similar mistakes. Chasing 185, they once again lost their three best batsmen within the powerplay. The batsmen that were to follow could keep up with the run rate against the potent Mumbai bowling attack.

However, a few days later Rajasthan Royals scraped past Sunrisers Hyderabad to secure a victory. After Hyderabad scored a decent 158, they pushed Rajasthan out of the game with their bowling. With five wickets down and Rahul Tewatia and Riyan Parag at the crease it seemed all but over. But Tewatia pulled off a Tewatia in the company of Riyan Parag. They took 60 runs in the last five overs against the Sunrisers attack.

Halfway through the tournament, the expected favourites are languishing at the bottom. And Mumbai has cemented the top spot. All the matches coming up in the week are important as the results of these matches will determine permutations and combinations of who will end up in the top four.

Photos sourced by the author from Twitter

Feature picture from https://twitter.com/IPL/status/1314928396900556801