IPL 2024: KKR mentor Gautam Gambhir urges changing ball manufacturer after high-scoring matches

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mentor Gautam Gambhir has proposed that authorities change the ball manufacturer after a string of high-scoring matches in the Indian Premier League (IPL) where the balance between the ball and bat has gone for a toss.

Routine scores in excess of 200 have become the norm with many arguing that BCCI replace the 'Kookaburra' white ball with the 'Duke' ball, used primarily in England, as it has a more pronounced seam.

"If a manufacturer cannot produce a ball which can last for 50 overs, might as well change the manufacturer. There’s nothing wrong with changing the manufacturer. What is this compulsion with only using the Kookaburra?" Gambhir said on the 180 Not Out podcast.

Gambhir's team was on the receiving end of the widening gap between the two departments of the game when KKRlost the match against Rajasthan Royals despite posting a massive 223-run total on board.

RR chasing the daunting target, were behind the eight-ball from the beginning but still managed to come back from the brink. Led by Jos Buttler, the Royals scored 96 runs in the last six overs, once again suggesting that bowlers had little room for error in the shortest format of the game.

Support for Duke ball grows

Commentator Harsha Bhogle also jumped in on the debate and batted for the usage of Duke balls to provide some sort of relief to the poor bowlers.

"I will reiterate this. We need greater balance between bat and ball and in a situation where the pitches aren't helping, the ball must do more in the air. How about a Duke ball, a ball with a more pronounced seam, that allows more lateral movement and ensures batters can't just hit through the line at will. Love to hear expert opinions on this," Bhogle wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Despite being only 31 matches in, the highest score record in the tournament has been broken twice with the chasing teams also posting above 240+ scores and yet failing to win the match.

The use of two bouncers per over was introduced this year with the intent to give more authority to bowlers but it has also meant that teams are not bowling spinners as frequently as they did last year.

(With inputs from agencies)