How T20 cricket is redefining the rules of pitch making

As T20 cricket continues to evolve, entertainment and high-scoring contests have become central to pitch preparation, a shift that international curator Nadim Memon says is redefining the nature of the game.

“T20 cricket today is all about entertainment and glamour, and unfortunately, bowlers are often reduced to bowling machines,” Memon told Olympics.com while discussing the changing nature of the shortest format.

Memon, who has prepared pitches at several venues in and around Mumbai and at international venues abroad, said the demand from organisers, broadcasters and franchises has changed the role of a curator significantly.

“The expectation now is to produce pitches that allow big scores and exciting chases. Curators are often asked to prepare belter wickets that help batters dominate,” he said.

According to Memon, this shift has left bowlers with very little assistance from the surface, making their job far more challenging than before.

“Earlier, a good pitch meant a fair contest between bat and ball. Today the focus is different. The idea is to ensure the crowd gets maximum entertainment, whether in the stadium or watching on television,” Memon explained.

The rise of franchise leagues across the world, including the immensely popular Indian Premier League, has further accelerated this trend.

Big-hitting, high-scoring games have become the hallmark of T20 cricket, often pushing curators to prioritise batting-friendly conditions.

“When leagues and broadcasters want matches that produce 200-plus scores, the curator has limited freedom. The surface is expected to help the batters and make the contest exciting,” Memon said.

Despite these demands, Memon believes that a little more aid for the bowlers will help preserve the essence of the sport without sacrificing the entertainment value.

“If bowlers don’t get any help from the pitch, the contest becomes predictable. Cricket has always been about the balance between bat and ball, and that balance should not be lost,” he said.

Memon pointed out that even in the fast-paced T20 format, matches become more engaging when bowlers have something to work with.

“A little bit of assistance - whether it is seam movement, bounce or some grip for spinners - can make the game far more interesting,” he opined.

He also emphasised that curators often work under strict instructions from team managements and organisers, leaving them with limited room to prepare varied surfaces.

“Many people blame curators for flat pitches, but the reality is that we follow what the organisers and teams want. The goal is to keep the spectators entertained,” Memon noted.

Memon believes the future of cricket lies in maintaining a healthier balance between entertainment and sporting fairness.

“T20 cricket will always be about excitement, but the real thrill of the game comes when both batters and bowlers have a chance to influence the match,” he said.

As franchise leagues continue to grow and the appetite for high-scoring contests increases, curators like Memon find themselves walking a fine line between tradition and the modern demands of the game.

“The challenge for curators today is to deliver entertainment while still preserving the essence of cricket. That balance is what keeps the game truly alive,” Memon concluded.

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