MUMBAI: The relentless flow of high totals in IPL 2026—where batters are routinely finding boundaries in abundance and chases of 200-plus are being handled with ease—has sparked fresh concern from former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar. Speaking in the wake of another batting-heavy display, Vengsarkar pointed to how the current balance of power is tilting heavily toward hitters and is making life increasingly difficult for bowlers.
On Tuesday, Sunrisers Hyderabad piled up 242 for the loss of two wickets in their 20 overs, powered by a breathtaking innings from opener Abhishek Sharma. Sharma struck 135 not out off only 68 deliveries, underscoring the scale of scoring that has become common in the tournament.
Vengsarkar said the trend could eventually discourage young players from choosing bowling as a career. “If batters keep dominating bowlers in this way—hitting fours and sixes at will—then no one would want to become a bowler. Since I run multiple cricket academies, I can share that many parents today don’t want their children to bowl. Most of them want them to become batters. I don’t think that’s a healthy direction,” he remarked.
The former India skipper also suggested a practical way to restore contest between bat and ball. “The tournament management should consider moving the boundaries back—perhaps by about 10 yards—to give bowlers a better chance. With the quality of modern bats also improving, pushing the ropes further away could help bring the game back closer to balance and help bowlers become more relevant again,” he added.
Alongside his comments on the on-field trends, Vengsarkar urged Mumbai’s young cricketers to keep their focus on representing the city with pride. He described the IPL as an important format, but stressed that the foundation must remain rooted in playing “for Mumbai to win.”
“Mumbai has a strong cricketing structure,” Vengsarkar said, highlighting the Harris Shield and Giles Shield, along with other age-group and collegiate competitions that have long acted as a pipeline for Mumbai cricket. “Over the years, it has produced tremendous talent—the kind that becomes the future for Mumbai and for Indian cricket. I hope all of you play for India. And yes, you also play in the IPL, because it is an important format—but I’m not saying don’t play there. I’m saying: play for Mumbai to win,” he concluded.
Ayush Mhatre recalls MCA support after Under-19 success
Mumbai and Chennai Super Kings opener Ayush Mhatre, who was honoured by the Mumbai Cricket Association for captaining India to Under-19 World Cup glory earlier this year, also spoke about his journey. He said the MCA had given him an early opportunity through the Irani Cup.
Mhatre noted: “The MCA gave me my debut in the Irani Cup match (when I was 17, during Mumbai versus Rest of India at Lucknow in October 2024). So a special thanks to the MCA for backing me at such a young age and for supporting our Under-19 World Cup win.”
Reflecting on his development, the opener added that honing his batting in Mumbai’s maidans prepared him for higher levels. “Batting in the maidans of Mumbai is tough. The pitches there are more challenging, whereas at the upper levels the surfaces are better. Practising in the maidans helped me once I reached higher competition. I especially enjoy playing at Cross Maidan, Shivaji Park, and Oval Maidan—those grounds have helped me a great deal,” Mhatre said.
Pandit and Patankar receive Rs 10 lakh in MCA awards
In the awards segment, former India women’s team player Shobha Pandit and ex-India men’s wicketkeeper Chandu Patankar were presented with Rs 10 lakh by the MCA. Both were named recipients of the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ in the ‘Cricketer’ category.
Pandit, in particular, is remembered for her role as the opener in India’s inaugural women’s Test match in October-November 1976. The MCA also recognised three additional award winners, handing out Rs 10 lakh to each of them across other categories.
MCA president Ajinkya Naik said, “The MCA has been a trailblazer in initiating many things, including introducing the annual retainership for its players.”
Full list of awardees
For the 2024-25 season
- Special Prize for the Best Senior Cricketer (Women’s): Vrushali Bhagat
- Lifetime Achievement Award (Cricketer): Chandrakant Patankar
- Lifetime Achievement Award (Administrator): Ravindra Savant
- Cricketer of the Year and Justice Tendolkar Trophy for the Best Senior Cricketer of the Year (2024-25): Shardul Thakur
For the 2025-26 season
- Special Prize for the Best Senior Cricketer (Women’s) 2025-26: Sayali Satghare
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Shobha Pandit
- Lifetime Achievement Award (Administrator): Shrikant Tigdi
- Under-19 World Cup Winners: Ayush Mhatre and Abhigyan Kundu
- Women’s World Cup Winners: Jemimah Rodrigues, Amol Muzumdar and Aavishkar Salvi
- T20 World Cup Winners: Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube
- Hat-trick of BCCI Best Association Award: Mumbai Cricket Association
Stay updated with the latest IPL live score, IPL news, and schedule coverage, along with tracking the race for the Orange Cap and Purple Cap.
