As the 2025 IPL season rolls out high-scoring matches one after another, with teams like SunRisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings already crossing the 230-run mark, a stark imbalance has become apparent—not just in the game, but in the recognition afforded to players. Ravichandran Ashwin, the seasoned spinner from Chennai Super Kings, recently highlighted the lack of recognition for bowlers in IPL award ceremonies. This lopsidedness, Ashwin suggests, might one day lead to bowlers feeling so undervalued that they might just walk off the field with the ball.
The IPL is renowned for its electric atmosphere and crackerjack performances, with awards galore for batters. Yet, the prestigious honors are often skewed towards those wielding the bat. Awards like ‘super striker’ and ‘super sixes’ celebrate the batters’ prowess, but there is no equivalent recognition for bowlers, no ‘super ball’ award to acknowledge their crucial role in shaping the game. Ashwin humorously remarked, “If I don’t bowl the ball, how will you even hit it?” This wry observation encapsulates the frustration of bowlers who consistently deliver but receive no tangible acknowledgment at award ceremonies.
Ashwin’s concerns are not just about the absence of specific awards. He has pointed out instances where the critical contributions of bowlers are overlooked in favor of flashy batting performances. During a recent match between Punjab Kings and Gujarat Titans, Vyshak Vijaykumar, a Punjab Kings bowler, gave a stellar performance by delivering economical overs under immense pressure. However, despite his crucial role in restricting Gujarat Titans’ run chase, the ‘Player of the Match’ award went to Shreyas Iyer for his 97* score. Ashwin argued that Vijaykumar’s strategic and effective bowling should have earned him the recognition instead. This omission underscores the bias towards batters in the IPL’s award structure, leaving bowlers as unsung heroes of the game.
