VENUE TRENDS
Follow UsIn the 31 games so far, DY Patil (11) stadium in Navi Mumbai has witnessed the most number of matches. The Brabourne stands second with eight and MCA and Wankhede have witnessed six each. Which pitch has been better for batting? Which has been good for the spinners? Let’s look at how the pitches have behaved across the four venues:
Brabourne producing belters for batsmen
After 31 matches being played across the four venues, three venues -- Wankhede (8.2), Dr DY Patil (8.6) and MCA (8.7) -- have had similar run rates. But, Brabourne has sided with the batsmen.
Apart from Chennai Super Kings who succumbed to a score of 126 against Punjab Kings (3rd April), the remaining 15 innings witnessed scores of over 170. Overall, in the eight matches played at the venue, batting teams have scored at a run rate of 9.6. On an average, teams have scored 195 runs in the first innings.
In terms of boundaries, batting teams have hit a boundary every 4.6 balls, the best among all the four venues. More than the sixes, fours have come more frequently at the Brabourne. While the teams have hit a six every 14.6 balls, the best after Pune, fours have been hit every 6.9 balls, the best.
Dual characteristics in powerplay at MCA, Pune
After the Brabourne, MCA stadium in Pune has the best run rate (8.7). However, the starting phase of the innings, that is the powerplay, has been on two extreme ends at the venue when compared with 1st innings to 2nd innings.
In the first innings, batsmen have benefited massively as they have scored at a run rate of 8.1 and have hit a boundary every 5.5 balls in the first six overs. Teams have lost a wicket every 72.5 runs and 54 balls, which is the best across the four venues in the first innings this edition.
In any case, while chasing has been a graveyard for the batters during the field restrictions. In six matches, teams have scored at a run rate of 5.6. Teams have lost 13 wickets at a balls/wicket ratio of 16.6 and an average 15.5, which is the worst across the four venues.
Has Wankhede slowed down?
Ahead of the tournament, Wankhede was the least expected venue to be the slowest among the four. In this season, on an average, 158 runs have been scored in the first innings at the Wankhede. Whereas, in the other three venues, 170+ has been the average first innings total.
In the IPL since 2013, only in the 2016 edition of the IPL was Wankhede’s first innings average score less than 158 in 2022. As far as the overall run rate goes, in the 2013 edition, teams had scored at 8.1, the lowest. In the 2016 edition and this edition, teams have scored at 8.2.
Wankhede, a different venue in the last five as compared to first 15
In the first 15 overs, teams have scored at a run rate of 7.1 and have lost wickets at a balls/wicket ratio of 19.6 at Wankhede. The only venue in which the balls/wicket ratio is below 20 in the first 15 overs. The top-order of teams have particularly struggled here. In six matches, the top three batsmen have averaged 18.1 and have lost a wicket every 15.4 balls, the worst among all venues.
However, teams have had a final flourish here. Batting teams have scored at a run rate of 12.3 in the last five overs, which is the highest across the four venues. The venue has witnessed a boundary every 3.4 balls in the final five, when none of the other three venues have ratios below 4.
Pace vs spin at venues
While pacers have bowled more overs and picked more wickets, the spinners have kept the scoring-rate in check across venues.
At Brabourne, pacers conceded at an economy of 9.7 as compared to 8.7 by spinners. At DY Patil, pacers have gone at 8.9 runs per over as compared to 7.6 by spinners. In Pune, the difference is minimal as pacers have given away runs at 8.6 as compared to 8.4 by spinners. At the Wankhede, the difference between the economies is the biggest. Pacers have an economy of 8.7 as compared to 7.2 by spinners, another record that alludes to the above point on Wankhede slowing down.
However, only at Brabourne, spinners have a better balls/wicket ratio and average than the pacers. Spinners at Brabourne have picked up a wicket every 16.5 balls and 24.1 runs as compared to 20.1 and 32.5 by pacers.
Success following teams winning the toss at Wankhede
Throughout this edition, teams have opted to chase after winning the toss every single time.
But, how successful have they been across the four venues? Overall in this edition, teams have won 54.8 percent of the matches when they have won the toss, which suggests, the toss isn’t a crucial factor. In any case, at Wankhede, as the first innings scores have been on the lower side, teams have chased it comfortably. Which is why, teams winning the toss have had a win percentage of 66.7 percent (four out of six matches).
