IPL 2026's Explosive Start: Kiran More Predicts Even More Intensity Ahead

Former India wicketkeeper Kiran More believes IPL 2026 has already lived up to expectations with an exciting start. The season has seen a sharp rise in scoring, with average first-innings scores climbing to 186. Teams have surpassed 200 runs 31 times in the first 39 matches, compared to just 21 at the same stage last season. More also expressed enthusiasm about the inaugural EUT20 Belgium League, highlighting the presence of top current players.

Key Points: IPL 2026: Kiran More on Exciting Start & Rising Scores

  • IPL 2026 season exceeds expectations with high-scoring matches
  • Average first-innings score rises to 186 from 178 in IPL 2025
  • 31 teams surpass 200 runs in first 39 matches, up from 21 last season
  • Kiran More praises EUT20 Belgium League's launch with top players
2 min read

'IPL is always exciting, and it's just beginning of this season', says Kiran More

Former India wicketkeeper Kiran More says IPL 2026 has exceeded expectations with 31 scores over 200 in 39 matches, predicting an intense second half with no clear favorite.

"IPL is always exciting, and you will see that the second half has started. So I don't know who's going to win, but a lot of teams are doing very well. - Kiran More"

Mumbai, April 29

Former India wicketkeeper Kiran More believes the Indian Premier League 2026 has already lived up to expectations, noting that while the tournament has begun on an exciting note, the second half promises even more intensity with multiple teams in strong contention and no clear favourite emerging yet.

"It's a good beginning and an exciting one. The first half of this season has already delivered much more than the expectations. We have seen multiple 200+ scores, which makes it more exciting. IPL is always exciting, and you will see that the second half has started. So I don't know who's going to win, but a lot of teams are doing very well," More told IANS.

One of the key trends of IPL 2026 has been the sharp rise in scoring. This shows a clear change in batting strategy across teams. After 38 completed matches, not counting the washed-out PBKS vs KKR game, the average first-innings score has risen to 186.

This is noticeably higher than the 178 recorded at the same point in IPL 2025. As a result, the average total score per match has also increased from 356 to an impressive 372, showing how teams are consistently pushing for more runs this season.

The most significant sign of this batting surge is the number of 200-plus totals. Once seen as a winning score, the 200-run mark has become the new normal. In the first 39 matches of IPL 2026, teams have surpassed 200 runs 31 times, compared to just 21 times at the same stage last season. This change indicates that batting teams are increasingly ambitious, no longer aiming for 170-180 but instead targeting higher totals as the new standard.

More also talked about the inaugural EUT20 Belgium League as an exciting new step for the game in Europe, expressing enthusiasm about the tournament's launch and highlighting the presence of top and current players as a major boost to its appeal.

"It's a very good league, the EUT20 Belgium League. This is happening for the first time in Europe, so I think it's a start. I'm very excited about this, and the best part of this league is that we have great players who are going to participate, and a lot of current players are also playing," he said.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
While the high scores are exciting, I wonder if bowlers are getting a raw deal. The average first innings score jumping from 178 to 186 shows batting dominance, but where's the balance? In India, we love sixes, but a good contest needs bowlers to have a chance too. Hope teams figure out better bowling strategies.
R
Rajesh Q
Kiran More is absolutely spot on about no clear favourite. That's what makes IPL so special! Every team has a genuine chance, and as a Mumbai Indians fan 😅 it keeps us on the edge. Also, great to see the EUT20 Belgium League getting Indian legends involved—cricket truly is going global now. Jai Hind!
V
Vikram M
I'm loving the aggression, but I think we need to credit the impact player rule too. It's changed batting depth completely. 200 is the new 180, and 220 is the new 200. Kiran More is right—second half will be even more intense. My only concern: are we losing the art of slow bowling? Washington Sundar and Rashid Khan are still effective, but spinners are getting hammered.
N
Naveen S
As a Bangalore fan, I'm just happy we're finally above 180 consistently! 🎉 The stats don't lie—teams are more ambitious. But I do miss the days when 160 was a fighting total and every wicket felt like a celebration. Still, entertainment value is through the roof. IPL 2026 is delivering chai pe charcha material every single day ☕
A
Ananya R
Love how the article highlights that batting strategies have

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50