IPL 2024: Ravi Ashwin seeks respite for bowlers, says modern-day hitting is making stadiums look smaller

India and Rajasthan Royals ace spinner Ravi Ashwin feels the bowlers will soon need a mental boost if batters continue to smash them with utter disdain like they are doing in IPL 2024. Punjab Kings completed the highest successful run-chase in all T20s – hunting 262 against Kolkata Knight Riders this season, with teams posting 250-plus for fun. Such scores have made a mockery of even the best bowling attacks.

Teams like SunRisers Hyderabad broke the record ofIPL’shighest team total twice this season, with the latest one coming against Royal Challengers Bengaluru – 287 for three.

Speaking on these lines, Ashwin said the stadiums built back in the day have started to look smaller in front of the modern-day T20 hitting, where batters are fearless and take the attack to the opposition from ball one.

"The stadiums built back in the day are not relevantin the modern day. The bats thatwere usedback then were also used for gully cricket. With LED boards of the sponsorsbeing used, the boundary has come in by 10 yards,"Ashwin said during a promotional event."Itis tiltingtoo far on the other side, which will makesomeone'smisery your great time. Bowlers will need a mental boost,"he continued.

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Although he talks on behalf of bowlers facing unnecessary wrath for teams posting massive team totals, he understands what the crowd comes for in IPL.

"...But you are certainly marvelled at ball-striking. At the end of thedayspectators come to watch fours and sixes,"Ashwin said.

Bond seconds with Ashwin

Shane Bond,RR’sbowling coach, seconds with Ravi Ashwin on this, saying batters have come far, and with the help of modern-day hitting, they have become stars and make huge money. However, for the bowlers, only those who manage to do well across all formats, with only a handful left, are playing the catching-up game.

"For bowlers now, if you can bowl well, you can make a lot of money. Batting has evolved, and bowling is catching up,"Shane Bond said.

Meanwhile, Ashwin is having a torrid run this season, having picked just two wickets in nine contested matches, going at nine runs per over. Although his numbers look poor on paper, his team sits at the top of the points table, with eight wins from 10 games.

RR has 16 points, needing just one win in their remaining four matches to seal the playoff spot. Their next game is against Delhi Capitals on Tuesday (May 7) in Delhi.