IPL 2026: Muralidaran Says Fair Contests Would ‘Kill’ the Tournament

IPL 2026: The Era of Big-Hitting

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has become synonymous with big-hitting, and the 2026 edition is no exception. With batting records consistently being broken, it’s clear that the format is heavily tilted in favor of the batters. Muthiah Muralidaran, spin-bowling coach of Sunrisers Hyderabad, believes that the format’s emphasis on entertainment means that fair contests would ‘kill’ the tournament.

The Changing Face of Cricket

Muralidaran pointed to the fearless approach of young batters, citing uncapped 23-year-old Salil Arora’s no-look six off Jasprit Bumrah as an example of how the mindset had shifted. ‘Even a good bowler goes for a six, [even] Bumrah goes for one or two balls. Abhishek [Sharma], the way he hits, it’s unbelievable, but when a new boy Salil hits a six, it’s unbelievable – you don’t think [someone with] the calibre of Bumrah comes and a young boy will hit a six [off him] because he will think about how am I going to survive [Bumrah],’ Muralidaran said.

Adapting to the Modern Game

Muralidaran emphasized that spin remained an important weapon, but the way spin bowling was being taught at the grass-roots level needed to change. ‘[Spinners] only try to bowl quicker, and not try to spin it [the ball],’ he said. ‘Because they are not getting that ability from the younger age, you can’t come to [Under-19s] and try to spin the ball because their muscle memory is already there, so you can’t get that.’ Muralidaran believes that bowlers must adapt to the demands of the game, and that it will take time for them to find ways to contain the onslaught of big-hitting.

The Balance Between Bat and Ball

So, how might the IPL strike a balance between bat and ball? Muralidaran was realistic in his assessment, pointing to the commercial and entertainment demands of the format. ‘I don’t think pushing the boundary [ropes], when the ball is flying over the ropes everywhere, [will change things],’ he said. ‘I think if we give fair wickets, the spectators will say it’s become boring because the T20 followers want entertainment, so they want to see the fours and sixes. That’s why the tournament is built like that – an extra player to come and bat [impact player]. It is a big business at the moment, sponsors and everything, so you will lose the sponsors and interest of the people [if you change it].’

The Future of the IPL

Muralidaran believes that the format will continue to evolve, with bowlers trying to adapt to the demands of the game. ‘I think this will continue, but over a period, bowlers will try to adapt, it will take some time. Sunrisers started this [power-hitting] and now everyone is adapting, so now the bowlers will go back [from] this tournament, [and figure out] how we can contain. They will come up with something, and the batsmen will find something else – this is the way the modern cricketers are going,’ he said.