A small tweak, a big impact—how the extra short ball per over reshaped strategies, numbers, and the art of T20 bowling
T20 cricket has traditionally been a haven for batters, but the IPL 2024 added a thrilling twist: two bouncers per over. While it may seem like a minor change, it proved to be a lifeline for bowlers toiling in a game dominated by soaring sixes. Batters suddenly focused on where to place their hits and carefully planned when the next bouncer would arrive.
What’s the outcome? An exciting game of cat and mouse unlike any we’ve witnessed before!
The change in strategy was swift. The short ball, which represented one out of every nine deliveries in IPL 2023, became an even more popular weapon in 2024, appearing once every five balls in the opening two weeks of the competition.
But was it working? The data suggests so:
Short balls in IPL 2023: Conceded 11.5 runs per over.
Short balls in IPL 2024: That number dropped to 9.02 in the death overs.
Wickets per short ball (IPL 2023): One every 13 balls.
Wickets per short ball (IPL 2024): Improved to one every 11 balls.
That’s not just a shift—it’s a game-changer.
Credit: TOI
For years, batters enjoyed the advantage of knowing that after a bowler had delivered their single bouncer, they could confidently plant their front foot and swing through. Not anymore. The second bouncer forced them to stay alert—literally.
Even the best in the business were feeling the pressure. Virat Kohli, renowned for his timing, struggled against Andre Russell’s slower bouncers. He played and missed, hesitated, and ultimately faltered in the battle of wits.
Fast bowlers no longer relied solely on sheer pace. Slower bouncers, into-the-pitch deliveries, and unexpectedly rapid bumpers were crucial in outsmarting even the most destructive batters.
Credit: crictracker
The new regulation was not without its hazards. While short balls were effective during the middle and death overs, bowling in the powerplay, the first six overs of the game when fielding restrictions are in place, remained challenging.
Short balls in the opening six overs continued to concede runs: 13.14 per over in IPL 2024, somewhat better than 14.04 in 2023 but still costly.
In contrast, short balls at the death dropped from 11.23 runs per over in IPL 2023 to 9.02 in IPL 2024. It became clear that bowlers needed to choose their moments wisely.
Credit: India.com
Not all teams successfully applied the two-bouncer rule. Some embraced it, while others struggled to master it.
The Chennai Super Kings averaged 12.1 bouncers per match, the highest in the league. The Lucknow Super Giants proved to be the most economical with their short-ball style, conceding only 0.89 runs per ball. The Mumbai Indians also utilised the technique, averaging 12 bouncers per match, albeit with varying results.
The rule was about more than simply bowling; it centred on flexibility. Teams that figured out the appropriate lengths and speeds thrived, while those that overused or misfired their bouncers faced the repercussions.
Credit: ESPNcricinfo
The two-bouncer rule altered the game, balancing the advantage batters enjoyed. With six-hitting rates soaring, this minor adjustment introduced unpredictability, transforming IPL 2024 into a tactical spectacle. Statistics support this; bowlers concur, and batters must adapt. As IPL 2025 approaches, the short ball shifts from a weapon to a declaration.
