The argument over home-ground advantage in the IPL has reached a crescendo in recent seasons, yet Punjab Kings’ bowling coach James Hopes keeps it real: it’s totally normal for teams to gain advantage from familiar settings. Talking ahead of PBKS’s second IPL 2025 game, Hopes recognized the way the league has grown ever more batting-friendly, with record scores and dead flat pitches holding sway over headlines. In the past 2-3 years, the IPL has been extremely batting-friendly with scores of monstrous proportions. I have not witnessed any pitch that is not playable. I don’t think it is wrong if the pitch slightly leans in your home team’s favour,” Hopes added, stressing that a slight advantage to the hosts is part and parcel of competitive sport.
Hopes further elucidated that home advantage is not about making conditions very tough but making the most out of strengths of a team. If one’s team possesses a spin-orientated attack, for example, preparing a spinning wicket is an equitable approach. “If you have a spin-heavy attack, you can play on a spinning wicket. We have to prepare accordingly.”. There are no such teams in this tournament who are unable to play on a turning track,” he added. This strategy helps teams develop multi-dimensional squads and shape their skills instead of just focusing on advantageous surfaces.
The IPL’s multi-venue, dynamic scheduling structure means that real home advantage is frequently diluted, but Hopes feels that even a minimal benefit can be invaluable in an extended tournament. Finally, he considers home-ground advantage a fair part of cricket as long as it does not trespass into unfairness or unplayable situations. For Hopes and for most, the adoption of home advantage is just one more added level of strategy to the continually developing IPL terrain.
