Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is great but T20 needs radical change: Greg Chappell

While Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s astonishing rise has impressed Greg Chappell, the former Australia captain believes the teenager’s record-breaking IPL season also reveals a deeper problem in T20 cricket.

Writing in a column for ESPNcricinfo, Chappell argued that modern T20 cricket has tilted too much in favor of the batsmen, making extraordinary performances seem increasingly routine.

The former India coach was full of praise for Sooryavanshi, who scored 776 runs for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026 at a staggering strike rate of 237.3.

“At just 15, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi didn’t just sign up for the tournament, he batted it outright. He amassed 776 runs at a strike rate of 237.3 and systematically dismantled some of the most sophisticated bowling attacks on the planet. His record 72 sixes produced overshadowed Chris Gayleason’s conventional miles. Cricket logic,” wrote Chappell.

However, Chappell argued that performances of this magnitude should not be possible unless the game is heavily skewed in favor of the batsmen.

“When a kid who has barely completed his physical development can step onto the global stage and effortlessly humiliate elite international bowlers, it reveals a systemic disease in sport,” Chappell said.

According to Chappell, the imbalance has been exacerbated by innovations such as the Impact Player rule in the IPL, which effectively allows teams to field additional specialists.

“The structural parameters of modern T20 have turned a rare, magical master class into an assembly-line expectation. This imbalance has been institutionalized by the short-sighted introduction of the Impact Player rule in the IPL, a tactical luxury that effectively gives batsmen an extra specialist batsman without consequence,” he added.

Chappell has warned that T20 cricket is approaching a tipping point and risks becoming little more than a batting exhibition unless steps are taken to restore the balance between bat and ball.

To solve the problem, the former Australia captain proposed three significant changes to the format.

GREG CHAPPELL’S 3 SUGGESTIONS FOR SAVING T20 CRICKET

1. Limit batting teams to six wickets

Chappell suggested reducing the number of wickets available on the batting side from ten to six. He argued that modern teams view goals as disposable due to the depth of their squads and that a six-goal limit would make collapses more expensive while encouraging smarter risk-taking.

2. Introduce more grass to the pitch

The former Australia captain suggested that T20 pitches should retain at least 3mm of live grass to create seam movement and carry for fast bowlers. He also suggested preparing surfaces with contrasting ends – one grass and one dry – to create more tactical variety.

3. Change the LBW law

Chappell recommended changing the LBW law so that any ball that hit the stumps would result in a dismissal, regardless of where it landed. He believes the change would remove a significant advantage currently enjoyed by batsmen and give bowlers a better chance of success.

– The end

Issued by:

Kingshuk Kusari

Published on:

08 Jun 2026 17:31 IST