The two-bouncer per over rule in the Indian Premier League will certainly make fast bowlers more effective this season. Previously, the batters could relax after facing a bouncer early in the over knowing that there would be no more short balls coming their way in the over. Now, the bowlers will have one more card up their sleeves and it may not seem like much but it does change the game.
The rule may have directly or indirectly influenced the franchisees at the auction table on Tuesday as fast bowlers proved to be the most precious commodity at the event.
It was clear that most of the teams were focused on bolstering their pace attack. Some, like the Royal Challengers Bangalore, looked for a complete revamp of their attack while others wanted to pick the best in the market and strengthen their line-up.
A study of the successful teams and you can see the reasons for the teams looking to build their pace arsenal. For last year's runners-up Gujarat Titans, Mohammed Shami picked 28 wickets in 17 games while Mohit Sharma claimed 27 in 14. For winners, Chennai Super Kings, Tushar Deshpande claimed 19 wickets in 16 games and Matheesha Pathirana had 19 wickets in 12 games.
Five-time champions, Mumbai Indians have built their title-winning spree on excellent fast bowling performances. When you look at their history what stands out is how their success has been built around fast bowling exploits of Lasith Malinga, Mitchell Johnson, Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult.
Then, in the 2022 IPL season, 16 among the top 20 wicket-takers were pace bowlers.
Batters, spinners lose out
Bu hikaye Hindustan Times dergisinin December 21, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Hindustan Times dergisinin December 21, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Palestinian PM Resigns Citing 'New Reality' Of War In Gaza
The United States and other powers have called for a reformed Palestinian Authority to take charge of all Palestinian territories after the end of war
Future Perfect: The Kids Are All Right
Gill and Jurel hold out promise by simplifying a challenging chase to help India seal series
Akshay feels 'blessed' to have worked with OG Ramayan cast
Director Akshay K Agarwal shot a music video, Humare Ram Aaye Hai, with the cast of the 1987 TV show, Ramayanactors Arun Govil, Dipika Chikhlia and Sunil Lahri - in Ayodhya recently.
Musk's firm gets nod for Sat Net; joins Jio, Bharti
Starlink, owned by billionaire Elon Musk, has been allowed to offer satellite broadband services in India, two officials aware of the development said.
A temple, 169 years in the making
Through decades of design and reworks, hurdles in engineering and construction, HT pieces together how the grandeur of the Ram Temple was reclaimed
'Political interference' forces Vihari to quit Andhra cricket
After Andhra bowed out of the Ranji Trophy at the quarter-final stage with a four-run defeat to Madhya Pradesh in Indore on Monday, senior batter Hanuma Vihari launched a scathing attack on the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA), saying he will never turn up for the state again.
Shafali, Kapp lead Capitals to a 9-wicket win over Warriorz
A blazing fifty by Shafali Verma (64₹, 43 balls) helped Delhi Capitals make a mockery of a target of 120 and open their account in the second edition of the Women's Premier League (WPL).
Making 'unbelievable things believable', the Ayhika way
The India No. 7 was an inspired pick for the world team event and she repaid the faith, beating the Chinese world No.1
'Connected TVs to reach 45 mn by 2024-end in India'
With improvement in broadband penetration, Indian households are increasingly opting for connected or addressable TVs.
India chip strategy makes progress as $21 billion in proposals received
The Indian government, after years of watching from the sidelines of the chips race, now has to evaluate $21 billion of semiconductor proposals and divvy up taxpayer support between foreign chipmakers, local champions or some combination of the two.
