The big shift: Why batters are having a record-breaking IPL

With more 220-plus totals than ever before, the enhancement in power-hitting skills is having a huge impact this season

“Cricket is turning into baseball, isn’t it?”

Sunrisers Hyderabad batters Nitish Reddy and Travis Head during the IPL 2024 T20 cricket match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Uppal, in Hyderabad (PTI)

It was with a faint smile and some helplessness that Sam Curran uttered these words in the aftermath of Punjab Kings (PBKS) chasing down a record 262 against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens last week. Curran was obviously chuffed as the skipper of the winning team on the night, but as an all-rounder whose primary task is to take wickets and stem runs, there was also empathy with fellow bowlers across