Cricket

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has witnessed a batting revolution, with teams consistently surpassing the 250-run mark. However, experts believe that bowlers may find some respite in the upcoming T20 World Cup due to several factors.Firstly, the absence of the Impact Player rule in the World Cup will force teams to rely more on all-rounders. This means that batting all-rounders will not be able to be slotted at lower positions, as they were in the IPL.Secondly, the pitches in the West Indies are expected to be slower and more gripping than those in the IPL. This will favor spinners and make it more difficult for batters to score freely.Thirdly, the lack of experience in hosting high-profile cricket matches in some of the venues in the USA may lead to inconsistent pitch conditions. This could also impact scoring rates.Despite the challenges, some batters may still be able to produce high scores on drop-in pitches, which are more consistent than natural pitches. However, overall, the consensus is that bowlers are likely to have a greater say in the T20 World Cup compared to the IPL.

Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad Clash in Qualifier 1Two of the IPL's most explosive batting lineups, Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad, will face off in the first qualifier in Ahmedabad. The match promises to be a high-scoring affair, especially if the pitch offers a bouncy surface.KKR boasts a formidable batting lineup led by Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, and Rinku Singh. SRH, on the other hand, has found a reliable No. 3 option in Rahul Tripathi, who has strengthened their top order.However, the nature of the pitch will play a crucial role in the outcome. If the surface is slow and favors spinners, SRH's Varun Chakravarthy and Narine could pose a significant threat. KKR, on the other hand, will need to adapt quickly after enduring washouts in their last two league matches.KKR's Nitish Rana is expected to return as an Impact Player option, while SRH may consider bringing back Aiden Markram for his steady batting and offspin.Key Players to Watch:* Rinku Singh (KKR): The finisher has been in impressive form this season, despite limited opportunities.* T Natarajan (SRH): The left-arm pacer has developed a deceptive slower bouncer to complement his yorkers.Stats to Note:* Bhuvneshwar Kumar has a favorable match-up against Narine, dismissing him twice in 25 balls.* Varun Chakravarthy has taken the most wickets (38) by a spinner in the IPL since 2023.* Narine is four hits away from 100 IPL sixes.* Bhuvneshwar Kumar has bowled the most yorkers (31) in IPL 2024.