Shardul Thakur, an all-rounder for the Lucknow Super Giants, recently shared his thoughts about the pitches used in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He pointed out that bowlers really want the playing fields to be fair for everyone involved, both bowlers and batters. When the pitches lean too much in favor of the batters, it can make the matches feel a bit one-sided, like a game where batters can easily hit the ball all over the place without much challenge.
Before Lucknow’s upcoming match against the Punjab Kings, Shardul spoke to the media and made a strong case for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to address the issue of lopsided matches. He expressed the desire for pitches that give bowlers a genuine chance to succeed as well. So far in IPL 2025, there have been six matches with high scores, which shows that the bowlers haven’t had much luck on the current tracks, even when they stick to their game plans.
“It’s not just about my feelings; it’s something that many bowlers think,” he explained. Some players might not voice their opinions in interviews or at press conferences but still feel strongly about the issue. He emphasized that bowlers just want pitches that keep the game interesting and fair. They don’t want to be in situations where batters are running wild and making them look bad. They’re asking for an equitable playing field where they have a realistic shot at competing.
In the 11 games played so far in IPL 2025, teams have hit the mark of over 200 runs 10 times, with one standout performance by the Sunrisers Hyderabad, who racked up a massive score of 286 runs in their first match. After a recent game against Hyderabad where Shardul took four wickets and helped secure a victory for Lucknow, he again stressed the importance of fair pitches that challenge both batters and bowlers alike. Shardul received the Player of the Match award for his impressive bowling figures of 4 wickets for 34 runs, proving his point about how crucial it is to create a balanced environment in the league.
“On these types of pitches, bowlers don’t really get much of an opportunity,” he remarked during the post-match presentation. “I mentioned before the last match that the surfaces should be set up to ensure both batter and bowler have their moments in the game.”
Fans can look forward to seeing Shardul back in action when Lucknow faces off against Punjab on Tuesday. The last time Lucknow hosted a match in IPL 2024, the defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders, scored an impressive 235 runs. Let’s see if the upcoming match brings a shift in the trend and offers a more level playing field for both batsmen and bowlers.
