In a few hours from now, the Tata Indian Premier League (IPL) Season 18 2025 will officially kick off with an electrifying contest set between defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), taking on the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Eden Gardens stadium in Kolkata.
This year’s IPL promises to be a never-seen-before experience for cricket lovers with teams taking use of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to formulate strategies.
But how can AI help cricketers get better at their game?
Picture this.
Cricket fans are excited about the IPL 2025 edition’s 8th match, which will be held on March 28 between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
The anticipation among cricket fans is at an all-time high for this match. The vibrant city of Chennai is buzzing with energy, as the Chepauk stadium holds a powerful history for the CSK team, which has won 7 out of 8 matches against RCB there.
The RCB openers, Devdutt Padikkal and Rajat Patidar, are all set on the field. Padikkal stands ready on crease while Matheesha Pathirana, the right-arm fast bowler, prepares to open bowling for CSK. Pathirana is looking poised with a deadly focus as he bends to take that 50 meter run-up. He knows he has formulated a fool-proof strategy to bowl effectively against Padikkal, as he is well aware of his batting weaknesses.
Conversely, Padikkal is also mindful of the strategies implemented by Pathirana and knows which type of delivery from Pathirana could be expected. Padikkal is also well aware of that on which kind of delivery from Pathirana he could potentially hit and go for a spectacular shot.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has enhanced this mutual understanding in every franchise and individual player.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has implemented the use of AI in every cricket tournament. Cricket employs AI in various ways.
How IPL teams are using AI in Data Analysis?
The Crypto Times reached out to a few cricketing experts to understand how AI is being integrated into data analysis section of strategy-making.
Identifying strengths and weaknesses of rival teams’ players
IPL teams will be using AI to understand weakness of batsmen especially which the vulnerable areas where he has gone out in the past. Similarly, the technology will also help detailing the strengths of the batsmen and listing his favorite shots such as a helicopter shot, cover drive, pull shot, straight drive, sweep, etc.
Similarly, AI is used for bowlers to identify their weaknesses and also for their best bowling style, AI is also used to identify how bowlers bowl, which type of bowls they mostly bowl and which is their best bowling style like yorker, spin, fast bowl, etc.
AI also examines the bowler’s actions and the strategies he employs against various batsmen. AI also helps players to improve their bowling and batting. Furthermore, to see where he is bowling during the matches, what are the percentages of areas that he bowls? Like in a match how many dot balls he bowled, etc.
AI to create data analysis graphs for players and team’s performance post match
According to experts, AI systems analyze past match data to predict outcomes, taking into account factors like player form, pitch conditions, weather, and opposition strength. Teams use this data to devise strategies, such as setting field placements or deciding batting orders based on historical data.
AI monitors players’ health
AI is also used in monitoring players’ physical conditions by analyzing their movements and detecting potential injury risks. AI monitors players’ physical conditions by analyzing their movements and identifying potential injury risks.
AI monitors players’ physical conditions by analyzing their movements and identifying potential injury risks. Teams use AI and wearable sensors, and AI-driven tools to track factors like workload, muscle strain, and recovery patterns to provide insights to medical teams on how to prevent injuries.
The video analysis person also uses AI to analyse the performance of players by tracking them. AI is also used to analyse the players performance to make training programs for them.
AI powers extra boost for teams
During live match, AI is used in DRS, the decision review system, in the ball-tracking app, and in the wagon wheel. AI is also used to analyze how the player scored 100, it is also used in the Snickometer.
AI is also used to analyze the pitch conditions, also to identify whether the pitch is favorable for bowling or batting, it is also used in third umpire’s call to analyze whether the player is out or not out.
AI also used in IPL Broadcast
In IPL live broadcasting, AI is used to show the fans how many balls a bowler has bowled at good length and short length. For instance, the bowler may have bowled at this length 40% of the time, or 60% of the time he bowled at this particular length.Â
AI is also used to control and adjust camera angles based on the action. For example, when a batsman hits a boundary or when a bowler is delivering a ball, AI-driven cameras automatically adjust their positioning to ensure the action is captured from the best angle.
This allows for smooth transitions between scenes without missing decisive moments for the fans. AI is also used to get statistics that at which percentage and movement what happened on the ground.
AI is also used to show the fans that what per of balls bowlers have used against batsmen. Its not possible for a single person to show all this so they use various programs and AI.
AI also enhances fan engagement by providing personalized content, recommendations, and insights. For example, AI can suggest highlights, player stats, or tactical analysis during live matches, enriching the viewer’s experience.
AI automates the process of extracting key moments from a match, creating highlight reels in real-time for fans that apps like jiohotstar uses for breaking down complex game scenarios into easy-to-understand visuals for its viewers.Â
Conclusion
But cricket has its own limitations as its a more skilful game that needs physical skills and knowledge skills of the game, so AI has limited scope here.
So AI has very low scope in cricket for its development. AI can only improve better DRS and ball tracking for delivering better results, and develop, and improve the technology for the broadcasting part.
Also Read: Check Top 5 AI Predictions for Who Will Win IPL 2025
