Experts attribute the high-scoring trend in this season's IPL to the effective use of the impact substitute rule.
The Sunrisers Hyderabad, for instance, broke their own all-time IPL record by scoring 287-3 against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Monday, just three weeks after setting the previous benchmark of 277-3 against the Mumbai Indians.
Travis Head was the driving force behind Hyderabad's innings, scoring a century off just 39 balls. This was the fourth-fastest century in the tournament's 17-season history. Heinrich Klaasen also played a crucial role, hitting seven sixes in his 67 off 31 balls.
“It’s nice to see our boys striking it nicely and our bowlers can at least defend 270, which is always a positive sign.”
Experts have credited the effective use of the impact substitute rule for the high-scoring trend in this season's IPL.
For instance, the Sunrisers Hyderabad broke their own all-time IPL record by scoring 287-3 against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Monday, just three weeks after setting the previous benchmark of 277-3 against the Mumbai Indians.
Hyderabad's innings was driven by a 39-ball century from Travis Head. This century was the fourth-fastest in the tournament's 17-season history. Heinrich Klaasen also played a crucial role. He struck seven sixes in his 31-ball 67.
Hyderabad scored the second-highest total in T20s, with 308 runs, following Nepal's 314-3 against Mongolia at last year's Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
Bengaluru fell short by 20 runs despite their impact substitute Anuj Rawat hitting a 14-ball 25 to help his team finish on 262-7.
The match on Monday had the highest aggregate of runs in any T20 match.
On March 27, Hyderabad set their previous record of 277-3 against the Mumbai Indians. However, days later, Kolkata almost surpassed it with 272-7 in their 106-run victory over the Delhi Capitals.
Kolkata opener Sunil Narine led the way with a bold 85 off 39 balls. Delhi coach Ricky Ponting believes that substitutes give the top order extra freedom to play shots.
Former India pace bowler Irfan Pathan pointed out that there is a downside to the impact player rule. This is because the role of all-rounders is diminishing as they are often replaced after their batting or bowling stints.