New Delhi, Mar 30 (FN Bureau) The Indian Premier League has dominated the cricketing landscape ever since its inauguration in 2008. Although lots of pundits and former players believed it would be a bad thing, it’s only helped the sport grow, not only in the one-day format but in test cricket too. Today, the likes of Rishabh Pant play their shots regardless of the conditions, and it’s incredible to watch. The fact that 405 million viewers tuned in to the 2020 edition of the tournament, according to information from The Economic Times, only bodes well for the sport, then. With the IPL is due to start again this year, the excitement is reaching a fever pitch in India.
Cricket is the national pastime of choice, and nothing gets hearts racing and supporters cheering like MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli. Of course, this time around, current champions the Mumbai Indians will bid for a record-breaking hat-trick of wins. Will they be victorious come the 30th of May? Let’s take a look at the factors and find out.
Experience:
Twenty/20 cricket is a game meant for veterans. Yes, the youthful ignorance of fear always adds to the creativity and innovation on show, yet it takes experience to understand when a player must see off a dangerous bowler or press the accelerator. In Kieron Pollard, the MI have a one-day master who has been in every possible situation and won everything there is to win. For example, Pollard has played 164 IPL matches and has an average of just under 30. While these figures are impressive enough, his strike rate over the past two campaigns has been better than ever, with the VIVO IPL website pointing out that it was 191.42 in 2020. That’s the best of the West Indian’s entire career, as was his average of 53.60.
Relying on Pollard down the order is the stability MI require when the less experienced guns at the top aren’t firing. Of course, that rarely happens when Mumbai can send out Ishan Kishan, Chris Lynn and Quinton de Kock. And it’s not as if they have many to chase down when pacer JaspritBumrah is on form.
Beaten Finalists Back for Revenge:
If the Mumbai Indians are to make franchise and IPL history, they’ll have to beat a revitalized Delhi Capitals team at some point in the knock-out stages. Delhi might have been a surprise package in last year’s finale, but they won’t go under the radar in 2021, not with the fine recruiting they have been doing in the shadows. As well as the in-form Shreyas Iyer – the man who is taking England’s bowling attack to task in the T20 internationals – Delhi can also send out Rishabh Pant, Shikhar Dhawan and Ajinkya Rahane. That’s only the Indian contingent; the international element of the team is just as strong with the inclusion of Steve Smith and Sam Billings in the batting ranks, and Chris Woakes in the bowling attack.
Another massive boost is the introduction of the South African players that the IPL might not have been able to call on were it not for the BCCI’s power on the international stage. After all, Aljazeera reports that Chris Morris is the most expensive player ever at $2.25 million. The Capitals have speedsters Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje, so the clarity over South African players reported on by Yahoo in February will be welcomed, as will the Betway odds that have tumbled as a result of the news. As of 19th March, DC are 9/2 second favorites, and their versatile and eclectic squad has a lot to do with it.
Star Power:
The best players shine on the big stage, and the IPL is the biggest cricketing stage of them all. So, it only makes sense that someone of the ilk of Virat Kohli will have a significant say on the teams that make it to the knock-out stages, and the franchise that finally wins. Kohli’s ability to finish with his bat raised at the end of an innings, something he did to level the T20 series against England in the second match, is unparalleled. His statistics in the Indian Premier League are also extraordinary, with Cricbuzz writing that the Indian captain averages 38.17 in 184 IPL innings. Another legend is by his side in AB de Villiers, which is why the Royal Challengers Bangalore are third-favorites behind the Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals.
There’s no doubt that if these two iconic Twenty/20 players shine this year, MI could find it difficult to continue their success. Of course, cricket fans will be hoping that they can win three-in-a-row as the spectacle will be something to behold.