Speaking in an audio clip shared on social media, the former Sri Lanka spinner pointed to the way young batters are clearing the ropes with ease, using Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as an example.
“The ball is flying over the ropes everywhere,” Muralitharan said. “When you see Sooryavanshi, the way he is hitting, he is hitting into the stands. So I think it is the wickets.”
AFRICA PICKS: Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians – IPL preview
MURALITHARAN EXPOSES IPL’S DEADLY BUSINESS REALITY 🤯
Muralitharan🎙️– IPL is now purely business; they make flat pitches bcz low scores are boring for sponsors! Even I would struggle to bowl against kids like Suryavanshi
They treat bowler like Slaves 😕pic.twitter.com/eEeil8JxAC
— Sam (@Cricsam01) May 2, 2026
Muralitharan said fairer surfaces would bring bowlers back into the contest, but added that lower-scoring games may not suit the modern T20 audience.
“If we can give fair wickets, then the spectators will become bored because they want to see fours and sixes,” he said.
He added that the IPL’s structure now prioritises entertainment, with deeper batting lineups and the Impact Player rule helping teams avoid low totals.
“It is a big business at the moment, sponsors and everything,” Muralitharan said. “If the game goes the way of the bowlers, you lose the sponsors and interest of the people.”
The former off-spinner said bowlers would have to keep adapting as the current trend was likely to continue.
Photo: Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images
