Yuzvendra Chahal
India posted 249/5 in the second T20I in Ranchi on Friday, but the West Indies chased down the target in just 18.3 overs, winning by six wickets to level the five-match series 1-1. Shai Hope smashed an unbeaten 102 off 45 balls, while Sherfane Rutherford hammered 84 off 37 deliveries. Their 120-run partnership proved decisive in a dominant chase.
Speaking to JioStar, Chahal said the balance between bat and ball has shifted significantly, with recent IPL and international matches highlighting the challenges faced by bowling attacks. When the ball gets old, there’s dew, the ball comes nicely onto the bat, and the grounds are getting smaller,” he said. “On such wickets, there’s nothing for the bowlers.
Chahal takes aim at IPL’s Impact Player rule
He recalled how totals of 170-180 were once considered competitive, while teams now regularly score at a much faster rate during the powerplay. “Earlier, when the Impact Player rule was not there, you used to see 50 runs in six overs, and 170-180 was a fighting total. But these days, 70-80 runs are scored in the first six overs, and the game is done there itself.”
“I feel for them, because I am a bowler too and when I bowl in the IPL, on small grounds with flat wickets, you have an Impact Player as well,” Chahal said. Chahal also pointed to the Indian Premier League, arguing that smaller grounds, flat pitches and the Impact Player rule have made it increasingly difficult for bowlers.