England and Punjab Kings’ (PBKS) hard-hitting batter Liam Livingstone shared his views on the new rule implemented in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2024 (IPL 2024).
In the IPL 2024, a new rule allows bowlers to deliver two bouncers per over, posing a unique challenge for aggressive and hard-hitting batters like Livingstone.
To counter this challenge, Livingstone feels the tactic of tackling the rising deliveries by aiming to hit them for sixes could be helpful for the batters in the ongoing IPL season.
Being one of the prominent power hitters in the game, Livingstone stressed that he would back his strategy to counter the short-pitched deliveries in the world’s biggest T20 extravaganza.
Liam Livingstone was quoted as saying by PTI: “Playing a bouncer is something that you have to got to do as a batter in T20 cricket. Whether they can bowl one or two in an over, I don't think it really matters. If it is coming at your head, you have to find a way to hit it for six and our job as a batter is to develop the skill to be able to do that.”
Livingstone added, “Instead of trying to hit a yorker for six, you try to hit a bouncer for six because bowlers have got more options now. It will be more effective on bigger grounds. I am not too sure how many bouncers bowlers would want to bowl on a smaller ground with good wicket; we will see.”
Livingstone also said that the true impact of the new rule would likely only be fully understood after the initial stages of the IPL 2024.
He further explained, “Top edges off the bat usually go for six anyway. It is a new thing that has come in. It will be good for those in the field.”
Well, the England star feels the contemporary cricket landscape is more favorable to batters, and allowing two bouncers per over will certainly be a move to provide bowlers with added options to bring balance to the fast-paced format of the game.
The PBKS star continued, “To have two bouncers available against some of the best hitters in the world will be a great asset for us as a bowling unit. Bowlers have complained for several years about everything being in the batter's favor. They finally got something back in their favor. It will be interesting. The IPL is quite good in being the first tournament to take on new rules, it was the impact sub rule last year.”
PBKS managed to make it to the IPL final only once in 2014, and Livingstone said that they are determined to give their best shot and overcome the challenges this season.
Livingstone signed off by saying, “We did a lot of good things last season. We were in the running for a playoff spot until the last couple of games. We've had 5-6 training sessions to get used to the conditions here at the new stadium. We retained most of our players from last season and everyone's excited for the challenges that lie ahead of us.”
(With PTI Inputs)
