Thakur on high-scoring pitches: "Bowlers just want a fair chance to compete in the game."

Shardul Thakur has urged the IPL to ensure more balanced pitches that offer equal opportunities for bowlers, rather than heavily favoring batters. Speaking ahead of Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) first home game against Punjab Kings, Thakur emphasized that all bowlers are asking for is a "fair and square chance."

“It’s not about what I want, it’s what the bowlers want,” Thakur said. “Many may not get the chance to speak about pitch conditions in the media. We’re simply asking for conditions where the contest is balanced — not one-sided where batters come in and smash us around. All we want is a fair opportunity.”

The 2025 IPL season has already seen six scores of over 200 in just 10 matches, including Sunrisers Hyderabad’s record-breaking 286 for 6. While the Impact Player rule has added strategic depth to teams, Thakur believes the real concern lies in the nature of the pitches.

“The Impact Player rule is definitely entertaining and changes games,” he said. “But these 250-plus totals aren’t happening just because of the rule. The pitches are a major reason. All we’re asking is to be given a fair shot to get batters out.”

Despite his concerns, Thakur has emerged as LSG’s standout bowler, with six wickets in two games at an economy of 8.83. He credits his form to clear preparation and self-awareness.

“The key is understanding your own game,” he said. “I just try to assess the conditions, the match situation, and who the batter is — and then give myself the best chance to perform.”

LSG have dealt with several injury setbacks, including Mohsin Khan, Mayank Yadav, and Akash Deep. But Thakur stressed the importance of focusing on the players available.

“In the IPL, you have a squad of 25, and all of them are equal,” he said. “Past performance or talent might earn you more chances, but on match day, it comes down to confidence and preparation.”

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