IPL 2025: What are matchups? - Why is it talked about so much in IPL matches?

IPL 2025: What are matchups? - Why is it talked about so much in IPL matches?

In modern-day cricket, matchups play a significant role in determining the outcomes of matches. However, following or avoiding certain matchups is not a guarantee that teams will emerge victorious.

Over the years, the role of video analysts has been given more and more importance. The Indian Premier League (IPL) was more about entertainment in the first few seasons, with teams trying to understand the nitty-gritties of the tournament and the T20 format. Now, teams are in a state where they know the game inside out and are better-equipped to devise plans that fit their style of play. Video analysts should receive a lot of credit for this transformation.

Before discussing the importance of matchups, it is crucial to understand exactly what it refers to.

Matchups are a strategic analysis of how specific players perform against each other. It could be an individual versus individual statistic, for example - Rajasthan Royals' Sandeep Sharma and Gujarat Titans' Rashid Khan have excellent records against Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB)  They could be given the ball as soon as the former India captain comes out to bat.

It could also be a particular kind of bowler finding it difficult to bowl against a certain kind of batter. Like left-arm spinners are seldom used against left-handed batters. Usually, it is easier to hit balls that are spinning into a batter than the ones turning away. There is statistical evidence of the same as well. Left-handed batters have a strike rate of 144 against left-arm orthodox bowlers in IPL 2025. Meanwhile, the strike rate drops to 138 for right-handed batters against left-arm orthodox bowlers this season.

Similarly, off-spinners are more effective against left-handed batters while leg-spinners are more suitable against right-handed batters; left-arm pacers trouble right-handed batters while right-arm pacers are more effective against left-handed batters. 

Unlike spin, where balls coming into a batter are usually easier to face and onse turning away are considered challenging, in the case of swing the concept reverses as the balls coming into the batter are considered more dangerous than the ones swinging away. However, it is not to suggest that a batter can be dismissed only against an inswinger and not an outswinger. While the former brings bowled or lbw forms of dismissal into play, the latter creates a chance for a dismissal like caught behind.

Some important points of matchups:

• Performance in the past: Data like how many times a particular bowler has dismissed a batter, or a batter's average and strike rate against that bowler. A captain might want to employ a bowler against a batter against whom he/she has enjoyed more success in the past. Similarly, if a batter has dominated the bowler, then a captain might want to avoid using the concerned bowler against the particular batter.
• Strengths and weaknesses: Some batters might not be good at playing spinners but have better records against seamers. A particular bowler might be better at bowling to left-handed batters than right-handed batters. For example, Mohammed Shami has an average of 8.15 while bowling to left-handers and 8.89 while bowling to right-handers.
• Situation-based matchups: Some batters are more dangerous when they are given only a few overs to bat. Dinesh Karthik, who is the current RCB batting coach and mentor, used to wreak havoc when he came out to bat in the last few overs. However, he wasn't as effective when he had more overs to face. Rahul Tewatia is a current player who is similar to Karthik in this aspect.

So, matchups are battles within a battle. The more mini-battles a team wins, the better chances it has of coming up trumps. However, it is critical to understand that matchups are not rigid principles or written rules of the game and a player's skill could help them tackle even adverse matchups.