New Delhi, May 3 -- "Cricket is turning into baseball, isn't it?"

It was with a faint smile and some helplessness that Sam Curran uttered these words in the aftermath of Punjab Kings (PBKS) chasing down a record 262 against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens last week. Curran was obviously chuffed as the skipper of the winning team on the night, but as an all-rounder whose primary task is to take wickets and stem runs, there was also empathy with fellow bowlers across both dugouts after a manic run fest.

The game in Eden Gardens wasn't an anomaly. Eight of the ten highest IPL totals have come this season. All of them are over 250, a barrier that had been breached only once, in 2023, before this edition. A total of 903 sixes in ...