The business of boundaries: Cricket legend laments IPL runfest

Wednesday's IPL slugfest saw a brilliant unbeaten century from Proteas star Ryan Rickelton propel the Mumbai Indians to 243/5. But Sunrisers Hyderabad powered their way through the chase, reaching the target with seven balls to spare. The music blares and the boundary graphic flashes on the TV, indicating the 1287th four of the season. What does it mean? We're not sure, but it sounds impressive.

The high-scoring match comes three days after the Punjab Kings pulled off the highest IPL chase in history on the weekend, eclipsing the Delhi Capitals' mammoth 264 in the 19th over. Just another day in batting paradise. 

Muralidaran, who is the spin coach over at MI, believes boundaries are the lifeblood of the business.

"I think if we give fair wickets, the spectators will say it's become boring because the T20 followers want entertainment, so they want to see the fours and sixes," he told ESPN after the loss on Wednesday.

"That's why the tournament is built like that - an extra player to come and bat [impact player]. It is a big business at the moment, sponsors and everything, so you will lose the sponsors and the interest of the people.

"It's very difficult for a bowler because these days, because of every team, not only us, has an opening [pair] that doesn't care about in or out, they just go after the bowling. When we used to play, about 40 to 50 runs was a good score with one wicket lost in six overs, now the average is 70 to 80.

"So, for bowlers, there is not much to say. They have to practise a lot and be as accurate as possible. On your day, you might do well, even if you do well, sometimes you are on the receiving end because of the wicket and the conditions."

Muralidaran went on to say that spin could be the answer, but the art was being lost. And when someone who's taken 800 Test wickets talks, you listen.

The tweaker pointed out that modern spinners aren't flighting the ball or getting much turn. Speeds are higher and a dart at the toes is less risky than looping one outside off-stump.

"[Spinners] only try to bowl quicker, and not try to spin it [the ball]," claimed the Sri Lankan.

"Because they are not getting that ability from a younger age, you can't come to [U19s] and try to spin the ball because their muscle memory is already there, so you can't get that. So when you are 10, 11, 12, try to spin - we need to spin to beat the bat.

"But if you can't spin, you see in training, how batters [face] throwdowns and hit sixers. So it looks like a throwdown bowler bowling at you, and batters are getting into the line and hitting."

On the face of it, there is great entertainment value for spectators seeing 500 runs scored in four hours. But it's negative impact on the centuries-old game is yet to be fully realised.