IPL 2026: Batting first becomes cardinal sin as expert predictions go haywire

The Indian Premier League 2026 (IPL 2026) has served fans with several riveting fixtures in the 47 matches so far, as the batters have made merry on the high-scoring paradises presented to them. With the scoring rates soaring high, the results have been heavily in favour of the chasing teams.

In IPL 2026, teams batting second have won 30 matches, boasting a win percentage of 63.82%. It’s the second-best performance by chasing sides in any IPL season after the 2016 edition, where teams batting second won 41 out of 60 matches, having a win percentage of 68.33%. 

Seasons with best chasing record in IPL history

As a result, captains have refrained from batting first after winning the toss, with Rajasthan Royals (RR) being the only team to have won a match after doing so during Match 9 against Gujarat Titans (GT) in Ahmedabad.

Day games defy tradition

Despite the results favouring chasing teams, a few experts have surprisingly suggested to bat first, especially during the day games. The old adage in cricket suggests winning the toss and batting first during day matches to make the opposition bowlers toil hard in the scorching heat and drain the energy of their fielders.

However, none of it has delivered results so far in the ongoing season, as chasing teams have a 100% record during day games, winning nine out of nine matches.

Chasing record during day/night matches in IPL

Experts have failed to understand the trend at times, as Danny Morrison and Michael Clarke suggested to bat first, while giving the pitch report ahead of Match 10 between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Lucknow Super Giants at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad. 

The duo mentioned that runs on the board might be important as the wicket might spin as the game progresses.

Cummins pays the price for going against the wind

"I think runs on the board might be pretty important. Maybe it'll spin a little bit as the game goes on. I think it's high-scoring though, I think it's 200 plus, and maybe it's a bat-first wicket today," said Danny Morrison and Michael Clarke at the pitch report.

However, their prediction didn’t turn out to be true, with LSG winning the match by chasing down 160. Recently, SRH captain Pat Cummins took the brave decision of batting first during Match 45 against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the same venue.

The decision backfired big time as SRH were bundled out for just 165 despite being 121/3 after 11 overs at one stage, as the pitch began to turn out of nowhere.

Hence, experience and cricketing wisdom have taken a back seat in the IPL 2026, with batters setting the bar high every game with their marauding strokeplay. A season which has witnessed several big chases, batting first seems to be a cardinal sin, and captains have learnt the bitter truth in the harshest manner possible.