IPL 2026 'just beginning', says Kiran More as 200-plus scores redefine tournament
Synopsis
IPL 2026 has redrawn the batting playbook. With 31 teams surpassing 200 runs in the first 39 matches — nearly 50% more than last season — the tournament has shifted from a 170-run mindset to a 190-plus baseline. Kiran More sees the second half as even more unpredictable, with no clear favourite and multiple teams primed to contend.
Key Takeaways
Kiran More declared IPL 2026 has exceeded expectations in its opening phase.
Average first-innings score has risen to 186 , up from 178 at the same stage of IPL 2025 .
Teams have crossed 200 runs on 31 occasions in the first 39 matches , compared to 21 times last season — a 48% increase.
Average match totals have climbed from 356 to 372 , signalling consistent batting aggression.
The second half of IPL 2026 is expected to deliver even greater intensity with multiple contenders and no dominant favourite.
Former India wicketkeeper Kiran More on 29 April declared IPL 2026 a watershed season, asserting that the tournament's opening phase has already exceeded expectations and signalling that the second half will intensify further as multiple teams remain in contention with no dominant favourite yet. Speaking to IANS, More highlighted the unprecedented rise in scoring as the defining feature of this edition.
The Batting Revolution
The first 38 completed matches (excluding the washed-out PBKS vs KKR encounter) have revealed a sharp tactical shift. The average first-innings score has climbed to 186, a marked jump from 178 at the equivalent stage of IPL 2025. The cumulative effect is even starker: average match totals have risen from 356 to 372, demonstrating consistent aggression across franchises.
200-Run Scores Become the Norm
The most telling indicator is the frequency of 200-plus totals. In the first 39 matches of IPL 2026, teams have crossed 200 runs on 31 occasions, against just 21 times at the same juncture last season. This 48% year-on-year increase signals a fundamental recalibration of batting ambitions — the 170–180 range, once considered competitive, has been displaced by a new floor of 190-plus.
What More Said
Point of View
Shorter boundaries, flatter pitches) or a convergence of conditions that favour batting. What's notable is that 31 double-century totals in 39 matches has not produced a runaway leader; instead, multiple teams remain in contention. This may indicate that while batting has become easier, the distribution of talent across franchises has also levelled. The second half will test whether this is a fluke or a new equilibrium.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Kiran More say about IPL 2026?
Kiran More told IANS that IPL 2026 has already delivered more than expectations, with multiple 200-plus scores making the tournament exciting. He noted that the second half promises even greater intensity, with multiple teams in contention and no clear favourite.
How much has the average first-innings score increased in IPL 2026?
The average first-innings score in IPL 2026 has risen to 186 runs after 38 completed matches , up from 178 runs at the same stage of IPL 2025 .
How many teams have crossed 200 runs in IPL 2026 so far?
In the first 39 matches of IPL 2026 , teams have surpassed 200 runs on 31 occasions , compared to 21 times at the equivalent stage of IPL 2025 — a 48% increase.
What is the average match total in IPL 2026?
The average total score per match in IPL 2026 has increased to 372 runs, up from 356 runs in IPL 2025 at the same point in the tournament.
Why is the rise in 200-plus scores significant?
The 200-run mark, once a winning score, has become the new baseline in IPL 2026 . The 48% jump in double-century totals indicates a fundamental shift in batting strategy, with teams no longer aiming for 170–180 but instead targeting 190-plus as the standard competitive total.
