The 2025 IPL season began with a bang, especially after Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) posted a mammoth 286 against Rajasthan Royals. With that, fans and analysts began expecting the elusive 300-run mark to be breached soon. But 15 matches in, that high hasn’t just stayed untouched—it’s looking increasingly out of reach.
So, what’s changed?
If Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)‘ dominant 80-run win over SRH at Eden Gardens is any indication, the answer lies in smart bowling—not flat pitches or reckless batting. According to former South Africa wicketkeeper and current Mumbai Indians head coach Mark Boucher, the secret was simple: “Bowl a touch fuller.”
Indeed, KKR’s bowlers executed the plan perfectly:
- Vaibhav Arora sent back Travis Head with a classic outswinger.
- Harshit Rana deceived Abhishek Sharma with a slower one.
- Arora struck again to remove Ishan Kishan with a full delivery.
- Andre Russell joined the act, getting Nitish Kumar Reddy with a ball just short of full.
All dismissals had one thing in common: attacking lengths, allowing the ball to do just enough in the air or off the pitch.
Boucher pointed out that this is a shift in mindset for T20 bowlers, who often stick to hard back-of-a-length bowling to play it safe. But early swing demands bravery.
His fellow analyst Sanjay Bangar backed that up with insight into dressing-room dynamics. Bowling meetings, he said, are detailed and intense—often lasting over an hour—whereas batting discussions are brief or limited to practice sessions.
Even as IPL 2025 favors big hitters, both experts agreed that bowlers are adapting. Boucher emphasized the level of research and prep bowlers now undergo: understanding batters’ weaknesses, pitch behavior, and game situations.
Still, Boucher advised caution before declaring a full-scale bowling revolution.
“It’s early doors,” he said. “Let’s see a few more SRH games before we say the bowlers have fully caught up. After all, this format still favors the bat.”
Yet, numbers speak. SRH have followed up that 286-run blitz with scores of 190, 163, and now 120. That opening fireworks show remains their only win so far. As it stands, 300 looks farther away than ever.
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