IPL 2026: Pitch Controversy Explained: Why Teams Feel Home Conditions No Longer Matter
NEW DELHI: Scores above 220 are starting to feel normal in this IPL season. A major reason behind the run-fest has been the kind of batting-friendly pitches being prepared across venues. While fans and cricket experts continue to enjoy the frequent high-scoring thrillers, several IPL franchises are becoming increasingly concerned about one major issue, the disappearance of home advantage.
According to franchise insiders, the strict measures introduced by the BCCI regarding pitch preparation have made conditions almost identical across venues, reducing the edge that home teams traditionally enjoyed in the IPL.
“As much as one would like to think that we are in control of the surface that we want to play on, there is a clear mandate from the BCCI that they look after the surfaces and they are the ones who ensure that there's no local side that gets benefit out of the surfaces. So you play what is presented to you. And yes, it's been a bit of an up-and-down curve for us to understand what we are going to get at Delhi, which is our home,” Badani said after their loss to Chennai Super Kings on Tuesday.
The Delhi Capitals coach also highlighted the inconsistency in pitch behaviour at the venue.
“There has been a game where we scored 75. In one game 265 was chased down. Again, this was a surface which spun. Ideally, you want to have some consistency. It’s not about us. I think the whole competition is quite neutral that way,” he added.
The board has reportedly adopted a system similar to domestic cricket, where a BCCI-appointed curator works alongside the local curator to ensure there is minimal interference from franchises during pitch preparation.
For the IPL playoffs and final, the BCCI’s central team of curators is expected to take full control of the venues.
According to franchise insiders, the strict measures introduced by the BCCI regarding pitch preparation have made conditions almost identical across venues, reducing the edge that home teams traditionally enjoyed in the IPL.
Franchises Say Pitch Control Is No Longer in Their Hands
The concerns became more visible after Delhi Capitals’ latest defeat at the Ferozeshah Kotla. Delhi have now lost four of their five home matches this season, and team coach Hemang Badani admitted that even franchises are unsure about the kind of surface they will get at their own home ground.“As much as one would like to think that we are in control of the surface that we want to play on, there is a clear mandate from the BCCI that they look after the surfaces and they are the ones who ensure that there's no local side that gets benefit out of the surfaces. So you play what is presented to you. And yes, it's been a bit of an up-and-down curve for us to understand what we are going to get at Delhi, which is our home,” Badani said after their loss to Chennai Super Kings on Tuesday.
The Delhi Capitals coach also highlighted the inconsistency in pitch behaviour at the venue.
“There has been a game where we scored 75. In one game 265 was chased down. Again, this was a surface which spun. Ideally, you want to have some consistency. It’s not about us. I think the whole competition is quite neutral that way,” he added.
BCCI Recommendations Favour High-Scoring IPL Matches
According to sources, the BCCI’s pitch preparation recommendations are designed to limit assistance for bowlers and encourage high-scoring IPL games.The board has reportedly adopted a system similar to domestic cricket, where a BCCI-appointed curator works alongside the local curator to ensure there is minimal interference from franchises during pitch preparation.
For the IPL playoffs and final, the BCCI’s central team of curators is expected to take full control of the venues.
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