Does the IPL have room left only for power-hitters? Kane Williamson differs

After going unsold in the IPL 2025 mega auction, Kane Williamson is ready to take on a new role in the fan favorite league. The modern-day Kiwi legend will step into the commentary box for the 18th edition of the IPL. Before making his debut as a commentator, the prolific batter opined about multiple factors at play in the league. Discussing how the world's biggest cricket league has transformed the sport, Williamson highlighted how IPL plays an accelerator in the careers of budding players. Moreover, the batter explained that despite the recent public perception of big hitters dominating the game, there's a lot of room for different types of play to flourish in the league.

Kane Williamson steps into the commentary box for IPL 2025

The impact player rule, which first appeared in the Big Bash League and the Indian domestic side, was introduced in IPL in 2023. With the option to bring in a specialist batter or bowler, as per the situations's demand, the teams shifted to a more attacking style of play. The rule added depth in the batting order, giving a chance for the players to risk it and hit big from the get go. A year later, IPL 2024 marked a shift in the momentum with batters, especially the big hitting ones, dominating the game play. Scores par 200, a rarity for the most part in the 18-year-long history of the game became a norm in the last season. The trend is anticipated to continue in IPL 2025 and the seasons ahead as well.

Meanwhile, Kane Williamson, who is gearing up for a new challenge in the IPL by picking up the microphone presented his two cents on the shift in trends in the league. Reflecting on the tournament’s journey, he praised the league as a game-changer in world cricket, significantly influencing its evolution. Both revenue and viewership figures highlight the IPL’s status as the biggest cricketing league globally and one of the top five sports tournaments in the world. However, Williamson pointed out that beyond the numbers, the IPL’s impact has made it the ultimate stage for international cricketers.

"The IPL has probably been one of the biggest developments in the game in my time, single-handedly. Such is the format and its adoption in India. There are 1.5 billion passionate fans of the game, which sets aspirations for young players to come here and be a part of it," said Williamson. "For players around the world, having these opportunities, whether it's consistent game time or exposure to this environment, will help the game move forward in a big way. Over the past 18 years, not just the IPL but the sport as a whole has evolved because of it," he added.

When the teams adapted the attacking gameplay, no team embodied this aggressive mindset better than Sunrisers Hyderabad, who exploited the Impact Player rule to devastating effect. Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma forged a lethal opening partnership, setting a new benchmark for powerplay dominance. SRH breached the 260-run mark on three occasions, registering scores of 287, 277, and 266, three of the five highest team totals in IPL history. While acknowledging the shift in batting strategies and tipping Sunrisers Hyderabad to be the first team to breach the 300-run mark, Williamson stressed that the IPL still has room for diverse playing styles.

"Last season, we saw the boundaries of the game being pushed, and I am sure it will be the same this year," Williamson stated. "The power game is crucial. It's clearly a big part of the IPL, especially with the Impact Player rule and the reduced effect of losing wickets, given that teams have an extra batter when the Impact Player comes in. That does change things slightly."

"However, you still want players to go out there and play with real freedom. So having players who support and complement each other is key. You might use the term anchor, but there is no point in someone just occupying the crease—they have to add value. That’s how you complement each other. So I think different styles of play are still relevant in the IPL," he added.