IPL 2021 is underway but not in its usual fanfare but somewhat subdued. With no spectators allowed inside the ground, it is understandable. There were some close games and some ridiculous ones too. Week 1 of IPL, what have we learned so far?
IPL so far
IPL 2021 have thrown some surprising results during the first week. It is RCB who are leading the table with 2 wins in 2 games. That includes a win against the favourites Mumbai Indians. Chennai pitch is certainly better than Mumbai and in all probability, better than Kolkatta or Ahmedabad later in the tournament. It has given the bowlers a chance. Unlike the one in Mumbai where Royals almost chased down a total of 220.
First of all, if a team is able to score 220 in 20 overs, that pitch must be rated poor because the bowlers never really had a chance. It is no wonder Chennai produced 4 thrillers because it helped the spinners. KKR and Hyderabad, turned a walk in the park chase into a monster and lost. They lost in the last 5 overs and no in the beginning. Pitches like Chennai must be encouraged in T20 cricket.
Mumbai vulnerable
Mumbai suddenly seems vulnerable and they won one game only because of the good bowling of Rahul Chahar. These are early days and Mumbai will certainly regroup. The sign is ominous. Rohit Sharma is struggling to force the pace at the top and the lower order hitters are struggling too. Probably it was because of the Chennai pitch but if the playoffs are held in Chennai and Mumbai is among them, they must be worried.
Surprisingly, RCB have won both their games with the much maligned Glenn Maxwell proving to be the difference in both the games. This is good news for RCB who will feel that the 14.50 crores spent on Maxwell is serving them well. However, this is a long tournament and it remains to be seen whether Maxwell will be able to continue on the same vein.
Elsewhere, Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer have been ruled out of the tournament because of injuries. There are also some Covid induced time off for Axar Patel, Padikkal and a few others. This raises a question. Why should players like Stokes & Archer be paid their full due when they have hardly played any? Shouldn’t there be proportionate payment based on the number of games played? I am not even getting into the performance against pay argument. Franchise that have invested a lot of money on players who will play the full tournament will feel cheated as will be the fans. I hope that better sense prevails and that every player earns their worth. We just have to hope that no player will ever fake an injury and remain sidelined but earn in the millions.
Kohli reprimanded
As usual, Kohli is in the news but for the wrong reasons. He has been reprimanded for venting his anger at the signboard and at the chair for getting out cheaply. This is not his first offence nor will this be his last. It is time the game’s governing body takes note of things like these and ensures the superstar’s are banned from a few games. Kohli is a customary offender. He deserves to be banned for the entire IPL tournament. The BCCI must show that they are not bothered about the personality of a player and will come down hard on bad behaviour. I can only hope that the youngsters watching Kohli will not be influenced by his crass behaviour.
It was really a surprise that Kohli was only warned and not fined or banned. This shows how afraid is the match referee and other officials are of Kohli. This is not at all good for the game. Kohli must be made a living example of how irresponsible behaviour can cost you.