Former India batter Aakash Chopra has urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to introduce a new award in the Indian Premier League — one that recognises the bowler with the best economy rate. With IPL 2026 set to begin on March 28, Chopra believes it’s time bowlers receive more acknowledgement in a format increasingly dominated by batters.
In modern T20 cricket, where big scores have become the norm, bowlers often find themselves under relentless pressure. Aakash Chopra pointed out that, despite the format favouring aggressive batting, disciplined bowling still decides crucial moments. “I would say you should keep one because this has become a slightly batter-friendly sport,” he said on his YouTube channel.
Backing his argument, Chopra highlighted the impact of Jasprit Bumrah in high-pressure games. “Many times the most economical bowler wins you the match… that six-run 18th over from Bumrah against England changed the game. That won you the semi-final,” he added, underlining how control with the ball can outweigh raw wicket-taking ability.
The numbers from recent IPL seasons further strengthen his case. IPL 2025 saw an explosion of high-scoring encounters, with as many as 18 totals crossing the 220-mark. Sunrisers Hyderabad even pushed the boundaries with a staggering 286 against Rajasthan Royals, reflecting how batting-friendly conditions have become.
Interestingly, if such an award had existed last season, Bumrah would have been a strong contender. Featuring in 12 matches, he maintained an impressive economy rate of 6.67 while also picking up 18 wickets — a rare combination of control and penetration. While players like Naman Dhir and Nuwan Tushara posted better economy rates, their limited appearances make comparisons less significant.
Even among the top wicket-takers, economy rates remained high, averaging 8.41 — a clear indicator of how tough it has become for bowlers to contain runs.
As IPL 2026 kicks off with Royal Challengers Bengaluru facing Sunrisers Hyderabad, Chopra’s suggestion could spark an important conversation around rewarding bowling excellence in a batter-heavy era.
