Former Mumbai Indians leg-spinner Piyush Chawla believes that spinners have taken centre stage in this year’s IPL due in part to the scorching temperatures across India. The spinners have nabbed 220 of the 50 matches played thus far, averaging 30.02 runs per wicket. This marks a significant improvement from the 154 wickets spinners claimed at a near 37 average at the same point last year, contributing to 39% of total wickets this season, up from 27%.
Chawla attributes these changes primarily to weather conditions. “Any bowler wants to bowl with the dry ball. And you can’t really predict where it’s going to be [dewy or otherwise] and where it’s not going to be,” Chawla mentioned on ESPNcricinfo’s Time Out programme. “The weather’s hotter. In February, you’d usually not need fans on in Delhi, but this year was different. It’s almost 45 degrees Celsius, leading to dry pitches that favour spinners.”
But it isn’t just the climate. Chawla notes that spinners have adapted their tactics. “Spinners are now pulling their lengths back instead of bowling too full,” Chawla observed. “Batters aren’t using their feet much, and when spinners pull the length back, it forces the batters to mistime their shots.”
S Rajesh from ESPNcricinfo highlights the change particularly during the middle overs, where spinners have seized 44 additional wickets compared to last year, bowling over 61% of the overs in this crucial phase. In contrast to IPL 2024, medium-fast bowlers outperformed spinners in the middle overs. However, in 2025, spinners have taken 171 wickets, compared to the 106 by the quick bowlers.
Chawla elaborates on tactical shifts involving pace and length. “Pace is playing a big role. By maintaining a speed of around 90 kilometres per hour, spinners prevent batters from comfortably playing shots on the back foot,” he explained.
Besides the tactical changes, Chawla suggests spinners should also be considered as Impact Players during the powerplay, traditionally a phase dominated by fast bowlers. As these strategic shifts continue to shape the IPL, it’s clear that spinners are not just surviving the heat—they’re thriving in it.
