Lockie Ferguson (Image Credit: PBKS)

Mumbai: IPL-2026 will be known as continuous run-fest. Scores above 200 and even 220 are no longer exceptional. They are regularly chased, leading to concerns that the balance has tipped heavily towards the batsmen. Flat pitches along with the impact player rule have led to the batting line-up being deepened to numbers 8 or 9, reducing the margin of error for the bowlers.Recent games highlight this trend. Punjab Kings achieved a lofty target of 265 runs against Delhi Capitals in Delhi, while Sunrisers Hyderabad posted a modest score of 244 runs. Mumbai Indians In Wankhede. On surfaces that provide less support, bowlers have been forced to rethink their approach.Punjab Kings and New Zealand fast bowlers lockie ferguson He believes that not complaining, but adapting is the way forward. “Coming into the tournament, you know it’s going to be high-scoring. The curators are preparing great wickets, and the batting talent in India is improving. Every year there are new players coming up who can play all the shots,” Ferguson said on Saturday. “As bowlers, we have to adjust our mindset. If the score is par 200, the aim is to pull it back by 10-15 runs.”Earlier, Sunrisers Hyderabad spin-bowling coach Muttiah Muralitharan had sparked debate by suggesting that entertainment drives such batting-friendly conditions. The Sri Lankan great had said, “If you give fair wickets, the crowd can get bored. T20 fans want entertainment. It is big business now. Bowlers will adapt.”Ferguson’s own IPL journey this season has been unconventional. The 34-year-old player decided to delay his arrival to spend time with his wife and newborn son, giving priority to family in the early stages of the tournament. He said, “There’s always an opportunity cost, but I chose to stay home. I had honest conversations with management and they were supportive. Family comes first, and I’m grateful for that.”However, getting back into the toughest T20 league in the world has not been easy. In his only appearance so far, Ferguson was dismissed by Rajasthan Royals’ Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal for 57 runs in four overs. “It’s not easy to jump straight from training into the IPL. It’s a tough competition at the best of times, and even tougher in the middle,” he admitted.