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England all-rounder Liam Livingstone has weighed in on a key talking point from the 2026 IPL season, admitting that many matches became uncompetitive as a result of batting friendly pitches.

 

A string of high scoring totals and successful run chases were witnessed in the latest edition of the competition, as scores in excess of 200 became a regular occurrence. Many fans may have reveled in the high-flying brand of cricket, but Livingstone feels as though the balance between bat and ball was once again shifted too far in favor of the batters.

 

When speaking on Stick To Cricket, the Sunrisers Hyderabad player insisted that the frequent barrages of boundaries did little to challenge the batsmen in the sport and predictable contest.

 

Livingstone's Points to the Flat Pitches

 

The England all-rounder then referenced a particular clash involving Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians as an example of the batting prowess on show throughout the IPL season.

 

"We were playing Mumbai and we chased 230 or 240 in 18 overs. I thought it is actually quite boring. Just watching people go 6, 6, 6."

 

The 32-year-old claims that, although boundaries were not exceptionally small at any of the stadiums, surfaces across India afforded very little aid to bowlers.

 

"There is no real skill involved. The pitches were so flat, and the Impact Player just comes in. The boundaries are big enough, but the pitches are so flat. At Mumbai, the ball just absolutely flies. In Hyderabad, he played at the same pitch maybe five or six times."

 

In Livingstone's view, conditions made it so easy to bat, so changing plans according to each situation of the match lost significance.

 

Also Read | Watch: Rishabh Pant Displays Quick Reflexes, Grabs One-Handed Catch to Dismiss Livingstone

 

Impact Player Rule Also Under Spotlight

 

Perhaps no rule has generated more discussion during the last few IPL editions than the Impact Player rule. It enables teams to introduce another player, sometimes a powerful batter, into a match, effectively giving them a strong advantage.

 

The rule, coupled with flat pitches, has perhaps given the advantage to the batsmen further in recent seasons, according to Livingstone.

 

The IPL 2026 has witnessed mammoth scores and stunning run-chases where batting performances exceeding what could have been termed extraordinary scoring rates in T20 cricket have become the norm.

 

Debate Over Bat and Ball Continues

 

Livingstone's observation is part of the larger debate around whether the IPL has tilted too much in favour of the bat. While many fans like to watch high scores and sixes, that has been a huge appeal of the tournament. Many believe that it is the games where the ball gets its share as well where batsmen struggle and that makes for better contest.

 

With the pitch-making and Impact Player rule coming under scrutiny again and again, it is difficult not to have the debate about the balance of power between bat and ball rage on, particularly as IPL 2027 beckons.