Lucknow Super Giants pacer Shardul Thakur has opened up about the need for pitches that provide an equal chance to both bowlers and batters. In the ongoing IPL season, scoring over 180 has become the norm, with teams even chasing down 200+ totals with ease. Recently, Sunrisers Hyderabad smashed 286 runs, while Rajasthan Royals responded with 242. These high-scoring encounters have become the talking point, where the bowlers have asked for better pitches. Speaking ahead of LSG's first home game against Punjab Kings, Thakur stressed that the playing surfaces should not be overly prepared in favor of batters and should allow bowlers to have a say in the contest. "All that the bowlers are asking is to prepare the pitch in such a manner that the game hangs in balance, and it should not be just one-sided where batters are coming and smashing us, because all we want is a fair chance and fair opportunity in the game," he said. Thakur, who initially went unsold in the IPL 2025 mega auction, was later roped in by LSG as a replacement for the injured Mohsin Khan. Since his inclusion, he has been in impressive form, picking up six wickets in two matches, including a four-wicket haul in his last game against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Reflecting on his recent performances, Thakur credited his success to understanding his own game and adapting to conditions. "The strength lies in how well you understand your own game and what is the best possible way that you can bowl on that particular day, looking at the pitch conditions, looking at the situation of the game and which batter is playing," he said. Also Read: Coach Daniel Vettori backs SRH's 'aggressive brand' of cricket Shardul Thakur on Impact Player Rule Thakur also spoke about the impact of the Impact Player rule and how it, along with the nature of the pitches, has contributed to high-scoring games. "The Impact Player rule is an entertainment factor and games change a lot, but that these 250 scores are being made is not only because of this rule change, but also because of the way the pitches are being made. We are just saying as a bowling unit that give us a fair and square chance where we can get a batsman out," he said. With LSG currently in third place in the points table, Thakur and his team will look to continue their strong form when they take on Punjab Kings on Tuesday. After their narrow one-wicket loss against Delhi Capitals, LSG bounced back to defeat Sunrisers Hyderabad.