New Delhi: A score of over 220 seems inevitable in this one. IPL. Much of this has to do with the types of surfaces that are being developed. While fans and pundits are mesmerized by the insane frequency of these big scores, there is concern among a section of franchises who feel that the idea of home advantage is now almost non-existent. Go beyond limits with our YouTube channel. Subscribe now!This is due to strict measures taken by the Indian Cricket Board.BCCI) to keep franchisees away from interfering in the preparation of pitches. On Tuesday night, the Delhi Capitals coach spoke about the unpredictability of the surface at the Ferozshah Kotla where they have lost four of their five matches this season.
“As much as one would like to think that we have control over the surface we want to play on, there is a clear mandate from the BCCI that they look after the surfaces and they make sure that there is no local side that takes advantage of the surfaces. So you play what you are offered. And yes, it is a bit of a spin, which we are going up and down to understand Delhi.” Badani said after their loss Chennai Super Kings on Tuesday. “Having a game where we scored 75 runs. Chasing 265 in a game. Again, it was a surface that fluctuates. Ideally, you want some consistency, it’s not about us. I think the whole competition is pretty neutral that way,” he added. BCCI recommendations are in favor of high scoring games. TOI understands that the recommendations shared by the board suggest that there should be minimum support for bowlers. The BCCI has adopted its policy from domestic cricket and implemented it in the IPL where a curator from the board will be at the venue along with the local curator to see that there is not too much interference. During the playoffs and finals of the IPL, the board’s main team of curators will completely occupy the venues. The recommendations suggest that boundaries should not exceed 77 meters and that pitches should not present slight movement and excessive spin. Pitches should have uniform grass cover that will rule out dry pitches. “There are some teams that have a strong spin bowling attack. They will prefer a bit slower and slower pitches. Some teams have a very strong sevens attack and prefer a bit more support for new bowlers. But now every pitch is almost the same. It doesn’t matter whether a team is traveling or not. Players expect similar conditions at all venues,” a franchise member close to the development told TOI. Another franchise member said that this is why there have been embarrassing collapses whenever the bowlers have had a little help. “The batsmen go in with the expectation that the pitch will play true and smooth. But every time the bowlers have a little more purchase from the pitch, they struggle to adapt,” said a franchise source. Now that the tournament is nearing its business end and the summer heat is taking hold, the pitches are going to get tired and scores are expected to drop considerably. It will be interesting to see if the franchises and the BCCI find a middle ground and can get some home advantage.
