Ashwin Appeals for Bowlers Support Amid Punjab Record Chase
In a high-scoring encounter at the Eden Gardens Cricket Ground, Punjab scripted history by successfully chasing down Kolkata mammoth total of 262 runs, winning the match by 8 wickets in the 42nd league match of the IPL 2024 T20 series.
Kolkata, batting first, posted a challenging target of 262 runs on the back of impressive performances by Sunil Narine (71 runs) and Phil Salt (75 runs). Despite Arshdeep Singh two crucial wickets, Punjab bowlers struggled to contain Kolkata aggressive batting lineup.
However, Punjab response was nothing short of sensational. Led by Prab Simran Singh explosive 54 off 20 balls and an unbeaten century by Jonny Bairstow (108* off 48 balls), Punjab chased down the target with ease, reaching 262/2 in just 18.4 overs. Riley Roseau (26) and Shashank Singh (68* off 28 balls) provided valuable support as Punjab secured their third win of the season.
With this remarkable chase, Punjab set a new record for the highest successful run chase in IPL history, surpassing Rajasthan 224 against Punjab in Sharjah back in 2020. Moreover, they also broke the world record for the highest successful run chase in T20 cricket, previously held by South Africa when they chased down 259/4 against West Indies in Centurion in 2023.
While Punjab celebrated their victory and kept their playoff hopes alive, the match raised concerns among bowlers, including Punjab own Ravichandran Ashwin. Expressing his dismay, Ashwin took to Twitter to voice his concerns about the plight of bowlers in the face of such high-scoring matches.
“Someone please save the bowlers,” Ashwin tweeted. “In a match of 260+ runs, the last 2 overs required only equal runs off balls. Let this sink in.”
Ashwin plea for bowlers safety garnered attention, with fellow spinner Yuzvendra Chahal responding, “Everything is in God hands.”
The trend of high-scoring matches in the IPL has been evident this season, with several teams consistently scoring 200-250 runs. Hyderabad astonishing 287-run total earlier this year is a testament to this trend.
Former players like Wasim Akram and Sunil Gavaskar have also raised concerns about the excessive dominance of batsmen in modern cricket. The balance between bat and ball has been a subject of debate, with calls for measures to be taken to protect the interests of bowlers.
As the IPL season progresses, the need for a fair contest between bat and ball becomes increasingly apparent. The onus is now on cricket governing bodies to address these concerns and maintain the integrity and balance of the game.
