Teams eye 300-mark as new IPL season gets under way today

Bowlers have been allowed to use saliva to shine the ball in the Indian Premier League (IPL) but it is the batters who will be salivating at the prospect of breaching the 300-mark when the world’s richest Twenty20 league gets under way on Saturday.

Lifting the saliva ban, a COVID-19 legacy, will allow the fast bowlers to try and generate some reverse swing in a format which treats them as cannon fodder.

But the continuation of the Impact Player rule, which allows teams to play an extra batter substituting a bowler in a match, will ensure it will rain fours and sixes across 13 venues over the next two months.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s 263-5 against Pune Warriors stood as the league’s highest total for a decade but that 2013 mark was bettered four times in last year’s IPL - three times by Sunrisers Hyderabad alone.

Hyderabad’s 287-3 against Bengaluru is the new benchmark but Nathan Leamon, a strategy consultant with defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders, is among those who believe 300 is achievable.

“We have already seen a huge escalation in scores over the last two years,” the former England lead analyst told ESPNcricinfo.

“It would be naive to think that we have got to the fullest extent of that - of teams learning how to take advantage of the new laws.

“You have seen several games where 260 has been scored, which never used to happen. You have seen several games where teams score 100 in the powerplay ... So something has changed.”

IPL OPENER: RCB, who face Kolkata in Saturday’s IPL opener at Eden Gardens, are likely to be involved when the 300-mark is breached given the traditionally flat pitch and small boundaries in Bengaluru.

RCB’s Rajat Patidar is one of five new captains in the 18th edition of the tournament, which will culminate with the May 25 final in Kolkata.

Ajinkya Rahane has been appointed Kolkata captain after the departure of Shreyas Iyer, who will spearhead Punjab Kings’ bid to win their maiden IPL title. The star spinner Varun Chakaravarthy looking to carry his recent international form into the tournament.

Fresh from his impressive performance in the ICC Champions Trophy - where he took nine wickets in three matches - Chakaravarthy acknowledged the different challenges that the IPL presents compared to international cricket.

“Confidence is very important, but as in every new tournament, even if you win the last tournament, you have to start from scratch. IPL is a different ball game and it’s a different beast. I very well know what’s coming my way,” said Chakaravarthy during the pre-match press conference.

The spinner, known for his variations, has been working on adding new deliveries to his arsenal. “Whenever I play domestic cricket, I try to work on a new delivery,” he revealed, while keeping his cards close to his chest about what fans might see this season.

Chakaravarthy is particularly excited about the prospect of facing Virat Kohli in the opening fixture. “Definitely excited to be coming up against Virat. Obviously, he’s batted well against me, and I would like to do well against him also,” he added.

The spinner also spoke highly of his teammate Sunil Narine, saying, “He’s a legend of the game, one of the greats. We had a few conversations this year, and he looks very well prepared. He looks to take on the IPL just like how he did last year.”

KKR have strengthened their squad with several international stars ahead of this season. Sharing his thoughts on his new teammates, he said, “We will look to defend the title this year. We have a great squad with great batters like Quinton de Kock, and top bowlers like Anrich Nortje, Spencer Johnson, Moeen Ali and Rovman Powell. This international core will be important,” Chakaravarthy concluded.

All-rounder Axar Patel will lead Delhi Capitals after the franchise released stumper-batter Rishabh Pant, who will skipper Lucknow Super Giants.

Sunday’s double header includes a mouth-watering clash between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, the IPL’s most successful teams with five titles each. While there are no overwhelming favourites this year, South Africa great AB de Villiers backed his former club RCB to shed their under-achiever’s tag.

Agencies