IPL Built for Entertainment Not Development, Muttiah Muralithan

Spin bowling coach of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Muttiah Muralitharan, has raised concerns about the direction of modern T20 cricket, saying the Indian Premier League has become more about entertainment and business than player development.

The former Sri Lanka great said the structure of the tournament places bowlers under constant pressure, as teams prioritise aggressive batting to keep audiences engaged. His comments came after a string of high scoring matches in IPL 2026.

High scoring trend fuels debate

Recent matches have highlighted the trend. Sunrisers Hyderabad chased down a target of 244 against Mumbai Indians with ease. Before that, Rajasthan Royals overhauled 223 against Punjab Kings. In another game, Punjab successfully chased 265 against Delhi Capitals.

These results underline a broader pattern. Out of 42 matches so far this season, teams have crossed the 200 mark in 31 games. Nine of those totals have been chased successfully, showing how batting has dominated the tournament.

Muralitharan pointed to pitch conditions as a key factor. “I think it is the wickets. We can give fair wickets but then the spectators will say it is boring,” he said.

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He added that modern audiences demand constant action. “The 2020 followers are very entertainment (oriented), so they want to see fours and sixes, so that’s why the tournament is built like that, and the extra player to come and bat, and teams not to go low on scores.”

Business vs development

The Sri Lankan legend argued that commercial considerations now shape how the game is played. “So making it an entertainment. This is not looking at like you are developing cricket or not. So it is a big business at the moment, right? Sponsors and everything.”

He warned that maintaining viewer interest remains central to the league’s model. “If the game gets boring, you lose the sponsors and interest of the people,” he said.

Muralitharan, who played a key role in Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup triumph and remains the highest wicket taker in international cricket, suggested that rules like the Impact Player system also encourage attacking play and inflate scores.

IPL 2026 remains wide open

Despite the debate, IPL 2026 continues to deliver competitive cricket. All 10 teams remain in contention for the four playoff spots after 42 matches.

Analysts note that while high scoring games attract global audiences, they also raise questions about balance between bat and ball. Former players and coaches have increasingly called for more sporting pitches to ensure bowlers stay relevant in the format.

For now, the numbers back Muralitharan’s concerns. Big totals, aggressive batting and frequent successful chases have become defining features of the season.