Evolution of T20 Cricket
Since its inception, the Twenty 20 (T20) format has been both a disruptor and an innovator in the world of cricket. When the T20 cricket format was first introduced, it promised fast-paced action and excitement, attracting audiences who found the longer formats less engaging. The format was also looking for acceptance among countries and societies that found “5 day” test matches amusing. However, despite its revolutionary start, the evolution of T20 cricket has been somewhat gradual.
Even though playing 20 over games were not new or novel, a more structured T20 format with well documented rules was introduced at the professional level in county cricket in 2003 and then at the international level in 2005, when England played Australia.
According to Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack neither side took this international game especially seriously, and it was noted by ESPNcricinfo that but for a large score for Ricky Ponting, “the concept would have shuddered”. However, Ponting himself said “if it does become an international game then I’m sure the novelty won’t be there all the time”.
I say the evolution is gradual because in 22 years, this format has seen very few changes since its inception when compared to other formats. If you look at the ODI format over a lifespan of 22 years from the time it was played professionally for the first time, you would agree with me.
2024 is the 17th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and I believe what we are witnessing in this IPL is an inflection point that could redefine the format’s future. At least, it has pushed cricket enthusiasts like me to finally acknowledge that something significant is beginning to happen with respect to T20 cricket.
The Changing Dynamics of T20 Cricket
For years, the changes in the T20 format were incremental rather than transformative. Teams had been occasionally surpassing the 200-run mark, and bowlers would find ways to adapt to the shorter format. A 4–1–20–0 spell was quite achievable and although not frequent, was happening at irregular intervals in matches around the world. But this year in IPL, something extraordinary has happened — we are witnessing teams crossing 200 very easily in many matches and we have seen teams scoring 260 and 270 runs multiple times. The art of batting has finally morphed into an art of hitting. I say hitting because this term encapsulates the aggressive, boundary-seeking approach of modern T20 batsmen.
And it has become increasingly challenging to define what constitutes “good bowling” in this format anymore. Is it economy rate, wicket-taking ability, number of dot balls, or simply the capacity to limit damage in a game increasingly dominated by the bat?
The Jake Fraser-McGurk Phenomenon
Take, for instance, Jake Fraser-McGurk, a 22 year Australian cricketer (who played for Delhi Capitals) whose hitting technique exemplifies this new breed of cricketers. 22 years is more than a coincidence, if you think about the origin of the format.
Fraser-McGurk’s approach is less about classical stroke play and more about innovative shot-making. His hitting style and technique are more or less the same for every shot, but by adjusting his footwork, he manipulates the ball’s direction, showcasing a level of skill and creativity that is emblematic of the next generation of hitters who have grown up in the T20 era. Think about it. We finally have a new generation of cricketers who have grown up watching the fast-paced T20 format as a very viable format to hone one’s skills in. And depending on the environment they have grown up in and the kind of practice they have been exposed to, it is clear that McGurk is the first of many such hitters from this generation who have acquired new skills that we have not seen until now and skills that are suited for this format alone.
Re-evaluating Traditional Metrics
Another aspect that has become evident is the obsolescence of traditional cricket metrics in the T20 format. When commentators who are used to calling test matches and ODI matches have to call T20 matches, they can’t help but use certain cliched outlooks when they analyze the game. Concepts like stabilizing the innings, anchoring the innings from one end, seeing through the middle overs, etc. no longer hold the relevance they once did. And more importantly, traditional milestones like a fifty or a hundred runs are now overshadowed by metrics such as strike rate and the ability to score a minimum of 10–20 runs quickly.
In today’s T20 landscape, a batsman’s effectiveness is often measured by their strike rate rather than their total runs. As we look ahead, the idea of a batsman reaching a “maximum strike rate” of 600% doesn’t seem far-fetched.
To understand this evolutionary trend, let’s compare some IPL statistics over the years.
Let us look at the SR of the Top 20 batsmen (aka hitters) by edition and see how many in the Top 20 had a SR of > 150.00.
Similarly, the highest and the lowest total team scores have shown a discernible pattern, reflecting the shift towards higher-scoring games with the 2024 edition showing a sudden jump.
If you look at the Top 10 highest team totals across all editions (as of May 20, 2024), 8 out of the top 10 team scores have come from the 2024 edition.
Now, let us look at the ECON of the Top 20 bowlers by edition and see how many in the Top 20 had an ECON of > 10.00.
Pretty staggering. Isn’t it?
Similarly, the strike rates in general, of opening batsmen across all teams have changed dramatically, indicating a more aggressive approach from the outset. These trends underscore the need to view T20 cricket through a different lens — one that acknowledges its unique nature rather than comparing it to the “purest” form of cricket, the Test match.
I can continue to slice and dice IPL data by edition and see the pattern, and then highlight how there is a specific jump in 2024, proving the creation of a certain inflection point.
The Role of Bowlers in T20 Cricket
The evolution of T20 cricket raises an intriguing question: What is good bowling in this format anymore? How do you define good bowling and bad bowling? Traditional techniques and strategies often fall short against the relentless onslaught of modern-day hitters. Bowlers now face the dual challenge of containing runs and taking wickets in an environment that heavily favors batsmen. Variations and deceptive deliveries are the essential tools in bowlers’ arsenal, unless one is Bumrah, who then could consistently rely on his pinpoint accuracy to reap some rewards. Even then, as we are seeing in this edition, hitters have become more and more adept with their hitting skills.
In the past, the middle overs were considered crucial for controlling the game and maintaining a steady run rate. However, in the current scenario, the concept of middle overs has lost its significance. Batsmen are willing to take risks throughout the innings, making it imperative for bowlers to adapt and innovate continuously. And we are perhaps just beginning to see the earliest stage of bowlers acquiring new skills specifically for this format. The focus has shifted from merely containing runs to executing strategies that disrupt the rhythm of the batsmen.
The Impact Player Rule : A Red Herring?
Critics of high scoring matches in this edition of IPL often cite the impact player rule as a factor contributing to the bat’s dominance over the ball. However, this argument overlooks the root cause: the emergence of a new generation of hitters whose entire cricketing development has been steeped in the T20 format. These players are conditioned to maximize scoring opportunities, making traditional bowling strategies increasingly obsolete. So, I certainly don’t believe that impact player rule has necessarily contributed significantly towards this shift.
The Sunil Narine Model
Sunil Narine’s batting exploits in IPL 2024 makes me conclude that he is the ideal T20 batsman precisely because he never considers himself to be a batsman. Watch him bat in any T20 match (especially in this edition where Gautam Gambhir’s encouragement to let him open the innings seems to have opened him up fully). Without the ingrained sense of a wicket’s value that a traditional batsmen possess, Narine plays with a liberating disregard for losing his wicket — an approach that fits seamlessly into the top-order dynamics of T20 cricket.
I think it’s Sunil Narine’s mindset that defines him as a quintessential T20 cricketer. Being a bowler himself who went through a set of controversies since his action was first reported in 2014–15, he has gone through multiple remodellings. His current technique, where he conceals the ball behind his back before delivery, showcases his mischievous ingenuity. Notwithstanding the doubts regarding his action that still persist, he is a model T20 player precisely because of all these. He seems to have perceived the challenges of bowling in this format and has transitioned his focus towards being a better batsman in this format. It’s not that Narine has abandoned his bowling entirely; rather, his bowling has transformed drastically over the years for the better.
His economy rate is under 7.0 in IPL 2024 (before playoffs). He is among the Top 20 bowlers in this edition and he continues to stymie batsmen. From KKR’s perspective, while Narine’s wickets may be a bonus, it’s his current batting form that’s truly helped them get where they are — he’s no.9 on the batting list with a strike rate of 179.85. Narine’s free-flowing swing and straightforward approach (he avoids team batting meetings to maintain it) perhaps epitomize T20 batting’s essence. Hence, while Narine may not be the absolutely perfect T20 cricketer, he embodies the relentless demands and the continuous evolution required in T20 cricket. In this format, stagnation is synonymous with obsolescence.
Embracing the New Era of T20 Cricket
To fully appreciate the evolving nature of T20 cricket, we must embrace it as a distinct format with its own set of dynamics. The notion of Test cricket being the purest form of the game should not overshadow the unique excitement and challenges that T20 cricket offers. Instead of viewing T20 cricket through the lens of traditional formats, we should celebrate its innovations and the new skills it demands.
As the game continues to evolve, it’s worth considering potential rule changes that could further enhance the appeal of T20 cricket.
I thought I would put together a few ideas. These rule changes (ideas), as crazy as they may sound now, will hopefully make sense to some of you when you embrace the new format.
Exploring Rule Changes and Innovations
1. Innovating the Over Format
The age-old six-ball over format could be reimagined. For instance, captains could be allowed to change bowlers after every two balls, adding a strategic layer to the game and potentially giving bowlers a fairer chance. Almost like baseball.
2. Multiple Innings
Introducing two (10 overs each) or even four innings (5 overs each) in a T20 match could add complexity and intrigue, providing teams with multiple opportunities to strategize and come back into the game.
3. AI-Powered Innovations
Artificial intelligence (AI) could play a transformative role in the future of T20 cricket. Imagine a bowling machine powered by AI, capable of delivering balls with precision and variation that challenge even the most adept batsmen. Now, imagine a rule change which allows the bowling captain to bring this AI powered bowling machine at any point during the match to bowl a total of 6 balls.
AI could also assist in real-time strategy adjustments, analyzing player performance and game conditions to optimize decisions on the field.
The Future of T20 Cricket
The future of T20 cricket holds exciting possibilities, and it is essential to keep an open mind about potential innovations. As we move forward, it’s crucial to strike a balance between maintaining the core essence of the game and embracing new ideas that enhance its entertainment value.
Like I mentioned above, the very reason for me to spend time writing this post is because of what is happening in this 17th edition of IPL and clearly, the 17th edition of the IPL has marked an inflection point in the evolution of T20 cricket. The format’s slow but steady transformation has now reached a stage where batting dominance, innovative strategies, and changing metrics define the game. As we navigate this new era, cricket enthusiasts and analysts alike must appreciate the distinct nature of T20 cricket and explore ways to keep it engaging and relevant.
It is going to be hard for the cricket nostalgics to accept the reality that T20 is here to stay. It may be harder for some of you who still think that IPL is an exotic form of cricket and is mostly entertainment. With this edition of IPL filling 3 months of our calendar (that’s 25% of our annual cricket calendar), IPL is not only a money making machine anymore for players and owners alike, but it has also become a significant event on everyone’s planning calendars that players and cricket boards can no longer ignore, and instead have to work around.
What lies ahead for this format promises to be exhilarating, filled with new challenges and exciting opportunities. By embracing change and celebrating innovation, we can ensure that T20 cricket continues to captivate audiences and remain a source of joy for generations to come.
As cricket analysts, connoisseurs, and sports enthusiasts, our role is to celebrate this evolution and explore the endless possibilities it brings.
So, with the ICC T20 World Cup around the corner, let’s raise our glasses to the future of T20 cricket and the thrilling journey that lies ahead.
