05 May,2021 07:14 AM IST | Mumbai | Shishir Hattangadi
Skipper MS Dhoni (right) and Robin Uthappa prior to CSK’s match against MI last Saturday. Pic/BCCI; IPL
The postponement of the Indian Premier League (IPL) due to Covid-19 entering the security of the bio-bubble is a prudent move by the BCCI. I dare say the stakeholders (the franchises) may have had a say on the issue.
To press the reset button and go into a repeat of a 15-day isolation to change venues and monitor cases would have been a logistical nightmare.
To be fair, no administration would have had to face these challenges in the past and to postpone it was the best solution to a problem that may have spiralled.
In the tournament, what stood out was a new-look, confident Delhi Capitals. The pair of Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw and their authoritative starts set them up to chase or start well. Their position in the league had much to do with the number of balls the opening pair played in the tournament, supported by their impressive strike rates. Young Avesh Khan has been a find for them. A local uncapped fast bowler playing ahead of a few big names said a lot about his special skills and the open-minded selection process of the franchise.
Chennai Super Kings appeared a rejuvenated side with young Ruturaj Gaikwad, the return of Suresh Raina, the modern-day T20 all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and the consistency of Faf du Plessis. Watching them was like sipping new wine from a yellow bottle.
If there was one team that looked a twin brother of the earlier years, it was Royal Challengers Bangalore with Devdutt Padikkal, Glenn Maxwell, Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers elevating the team to look good for the playoffs. Harshal Patel with his death bowling and consistency stood out in a batsman-protagonist team.
Mumbai Indians were on a comeback trail. From the slow Chennai surfaces to tracks that suited their style of play better, they looked the five-time champion team we have known them to be - assured, unfazed and ready - to battle any situation.
Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah and Rahul Chahar provided a sense of disciplined decorum to their attack. No crystal balls, but these four looked good to make it to the playoffs on form and momentum.
The IPL may have no winners this year and will be remembered for the stress and surround sound of the pandemic hitting the country. Such is the potency of the virus that it scarred the best of teams and the mightiest of cricket boards.
