IPL: How game from batting power in 2024 to bowling dominance in 2025

After the 2024 season broke incredible hitting records, including 1260 sixes, 41 200-plus totals, 14 centuries, and Sunrisers Hyderabad’s highest-ever team total of 287/3, there were unrealistic hopes for another run-fest IPL season leading up to the 2025 season.

It was anticipated to be a repetition after SRH dominated 286/6 in their opening match of the year. However, bowlers have recovered with clever strategies following a scorching start by the hitters, and all of a sudden, 2025 is telling a totally different tale.

With six 200-plus totals, including three over 240, and a run rate of 10.7, the first five IPL 2025 matches carried on the batting prowess of 2024. But during the course of the following six games, the situations shifted. The average run rate decreased by more than 15% to 9.07. After a 32-six edge in the first five games, the six-hitting percentage likewise decreased, and after 11 games, the 2025 season just slightly outperformed the 2024 edition (221 vs. 214).

The BCCI acknowledged the need for improved communication between the franchise and the pitch curators in response to the numerous complaints voiced by franchises about their pitches.

“So far, the pitches have been good. As a result, they might be requesting surfaces with greater bowler assistance. However, the curators and the franchise need to communicate more effectively.

According to a BCCI source cited by The Times of India, it cannot take place within a week of the IPL season.

From 11.82 runs per over in 2024 to 11.35 in 2025, the death overs, which were a goldmine for batters the previous season, have also experienced a decline. This season, there have only been four deaths over efforts, compared to six previous year. The quantity of 20+ run-outs is another notable indicator. The first five games of 2025 had 20 overs, four in each match. However, it was reduced to just one game—involving four overthrows—in the following six games.

The prominence of spin this season has been one of the most significant shifts. Spinners have taken 62 of 137 wickets (45.3%) in the opening 11 games, up from just 24.6% over the same time last year.

Pitches have contributed as well. Batting has been challenging on a few of slower surfaces, notably Lucknow’s black soil wicket. This year, there has been a similar trend of teams losing steam following strong first-inning starts. The side batting first has fallen apart in the final 10 overs in 13 of the 29 games that have been played thus far. Eleven of these ended in victory for the team that dominated the second half.