While the IPL is in full swing in India, the Pakistan-South Africa series is catching the attention of many.
In the 3rd T20I, Pakistan chased down 204 runs with 9 wickets & 2 overs to spare, courtesy a 197-run partnership from Mohammad Rizwan & Babar Azam, who scored 122 (59). Earlier in the day, news broke that Azam also dethroned Virat Kohli as the #1 ICC ODI batsman after a mammoth 1258 days.
Add Fakhar Zaman’s brilliant 193 in the ODI series, Hafeez’s second coming, & the fast bowling line up, the question should be asked—Is the IPL really the best T20 tournament without Pakistani players?
The Fall of Pakistan Cricket
Pakistan dominated the Indo-Pak cricket rivalry in the 1990s, while India has crushed it in the 2010s. Only in the 2000s, did we have battle of equals.
For India’s tenacious Rahul Dravid, Pakistan had Younis Khan. Similarly, the elegance of Yousuf & Tendulkar, stability of Inzamam & Laxman/Ganguly, & exuberance of Afridi & Sehwag were on par with each other. The destructiveness of Shoaib Akhtar-Asif-Sami on one side matched the abilities of Irfan Pathan-Zaheer Khan-Kumble-Harbhajan on the other.
India narrowly won the 2004 Test series 2-1 & ODI series 3-2 held in Pakistan. Pakistan returned the favor next year with a 1-1 drawn Test series & 4-2 ODI victory held in India. Both memorable events.
Hence, the struggle of Pakistan cricket team over the last decade & lack of competitiveness in recent ICC tournaments has been disheartening. The new generation of Pakistan cricket is slowly making this a battle of equals again.
The New Generation of Pakistan Cricket Rises
Mohammad Rizwan is currently the best T20I batsman in the world (sorry Dawid Malan). Shaheen Shah Afridi can compete with the Rabadas & Bumrahs of the world. The leg spin of Shadab Khan & Usman Qadir with a line up of Afridi-Naseem Shah-Hasan Ali-Haris Rauf can send shivers down the opposition camp.
Babar Azam is the best player in the world. Period.
Each IPL team can benefit from Haider Ali & Faheem Ashraf’s power, experience of Mohammad Hafeez & Shoaib Malik, and the pace of discarded Mohammad Amir & Mohammad Hasnain.
“Imagine Babar-Kohli opening for RCB, Fakhar-Rohit hitting double centuries, & Bumrah-Shaheen bowling together at the death.”
With South African, Sri Lankan, & West Indian foreign contingent in the prime of their careers from 2007-2017, absence of Pakistani players in the IPL made sense.
It no longer does.
South Africa & Sri Lanka’s Eternal Transition Period
Kumar Sangakkara & Mahela Jayawardene once used to captain IPL teams. They are now the only Sri Lankan representation in IPL 2021 (as coaches) as no SL players were picked in the auction. Gone is the era of Malinga-Murali-Dilshan.
With an eternal transition process in South Africa, only Rabada-Nortje (and Ngidi to a certain extent) have risen to the occasion. Otherwise, AB De Villiers & Faf Du Plessis from an earlier generation are still carrying the South Africa baton. Similarly, lots of West Indians in the IPL are from the World Cup winning generation (Gayle, Narine, Pollard, Russell).
The lack of variety in foreign talent is hitting the brand of the IPL. It seems that only India & England are producing new talent year in & year out, with Australia & New Zealand close behind.
It is time for some more talent to flow in—Pakistani talent that is. On the flip side, BCCI’s reluctance to let Indians play abroad should also be reconsidered, but that is a story for another day.
Looking Back to IPL 2008
The inception of the tournament in 2008 is the perfect template to follow.
Rajasthan Royals benefitted from having Pakistan talent in their squad with Kamral Akmal, Younis Khan, & most importantly Sohail Tanvir, the maiden purple cap winner. The Knight Riders enjoyed the pace duo of Shoaib Akhtar & Umar Gul, who took a match-winning 4-fer. KKR also had Salman Butt & the ageless Mohammad Hafeez in their ranks.
Few others participated in the IPL as well—Shahid Afridi (Deccan Chargers), Shoaib Malik & Mohammad Asif (Delhi Daredevils), & Misbah-ul-Haq (Royal Challengers Bangalore).
IPL 2020 Was Ideal But There Is Still Time
IPL 2020 was the best opportunity for adding Pakistani players to the IPL auctions. The world was struggling from a pandemic, and the tournament was taking place at Pakistan’s adopted home ground, the UAE.
What better time to get Pakistan players in? Unfortunately, that did not happen.
There is still time.
Babar is 26, Rizwan 28, & Amir 29. It would be great to watch Mohammad Amir versus Virat Kohli once again, and there is enough love across the border to make it happen.
Moments of The Day: Maxwell, Catches The Highlight
The IPL is full of surprises and memorable moments. Here are my moments of today:
Glenn Maxwell was the difference between the two sides. After a poor IPL 2020 (and no sixes) he has come up with 39 (28) with 2 sixes and 59 (41) with 3 sixes on slow tracks. The reverse paddle to yorker-master Natarajan was my moment of the match.
Scores of catches have been dropped over the past week, but Rashid Khan, Vijay Shankar, & Manish Pandeycame up with running/diving catches for SRH, and the over that turned the game—Harshal Patel, AB de Villiers running catch, & Shahbaz himself caught skiers.
Rashid Khanis an absolute gun T20 player. 4-0-18-2 and 17 (9) giving SRH some hope at the end.
Honorable Mentions:Warner’s 54, Holder’s dismissal of struggling Kohli
T20 World Cup Spotlight: Shahbaz Ahmed, Harshal Patel Add To India’s Depth
Given that the T20I World Cup is around the corner, and pandemic induced rules has changed the rules to 23-player squad, we will be analyzing the impact of each match on the T20I World Cup squad.
Shahbaz Ahmed & Harshal Patel – In all reality, they may never wear an Indian cap given the tough competition, but these two have been brilliant first class cricketers who are finally getting their dues in the IPL. Shahbaz is the Ben Stokes of Bengal Cricket, while Harshal has been consistent over the last 5 years. Shahbaz’s 2-0-7-3 & Harshal’s economical overs to Manish Pandey (with slower off-cutters/nailed yorkers) sealed the game for RCB.
Manish Pandey has probably been mismanaged by the Indian cricket team, but has been given ample of opportunities by SRH. He has now two consecutive innings – 61*(44) & 38 (39) – that could be considered ‘losing’ knocks. Dot balls & strike rate of 97.43 are not going to win you games.
As Simon Doull quoted Cricbuzz’s statistician, “In the last 4 seasons, Manish Pandey has faced 30+ 14 times in the last 4 seasons. Sunrisers has lost 11 of them.” That is the story of his IPL career.
IPL 2021 Points Table
No need to go elsewhere for the Points Table. We will keep updating it in every article!
Teams
Played
Won
Lost
Tied No-Result
Points
Net Run Rate
1. Royal Challengers Bangalore
2
2
0
0
4
+0.175
2. Delhi Capitals
1
1
0
0
2
+0.779
3. Mumbai Indians
2
1
1
0
2
+0.225
4. Punjab Kings
1
1
0
0
2
+ 0.2
5. Kolkata Knight Riders
2
1
1
0
0
0.00
6. Rajasthan Royals
1
0
1
0
0
-0.2
7. Sunrisers Hyderabad
2
0
2
0
0
-0.4
8.. Chennai Super Kings
1
0
1
0
0
-0.779
IPL 2021 Points Table
Tomorrow’s Preview
The Delhi Capitalstake on the Rajasthan Royals in Mumbai. Who do you think will win this one?
Also, if you have not yet read our IPL Previews, here is a list of all of them! Check them out and share ahead:
KKR Vs MI– IPL 2021 Match #5 Quick Review! The Mumbai Indians sure know how to win games & Kolkata Knight Riders sure know how to lose them. As a KKR fan, the ending was hard to watch. Great heist from MI nevertheless.
What Actually Happened: Collapse of Epic Proportions
Winner: MI won by 10 runs
Scores:MI152/10 VsKKR 142/7
Player of the Match: Rahul Chahar
Best Figures
Andre Russell – 5/15
Rahul Chahar – 4/27
Most Runs
Suryakumar Yadav 56 (36)
Nitish Rana 57 (47)
Moments of The Day: Rahul Chahar Turns The Game
The IPL is full of surprises and memorable moments. Here are my moments of today:
Andre Russell, the bowler had a dream of a game. Barely able to lift himself with all the injuries & muscle, he came up with figures of 5-15 in 2 overs. Cleaned up the tail pretty nicely.
Rahul Chahar turns the game, literally. Chahar was the catalyst of the collapse that turned 72-0 in 8.4 overs to 142/7 in 20. Shubman Gill, Rahul Tripathi, Eoin Morgan, & most importantly, the well set Nitish Rana. The ball that dismissed Tripathi was the ball of the tournament so far. Rana unnecessarily danced down the pitch (to Chahar’s last ball by the way) & Shakib threw it away back-to-back sent panic into the KKR dressing room. DK-Russell lost their natural games trying to preserve their wickets, and in the process, gifted MI the game.
Honorable Mentions:Bumrah’s 19th shows his class; Russell’s 2 dropped catches a blessing in disguise
T20 World Cup Watch: Suryakumar, Krunal Strengthen Their Cases
Given that the T20I World Cup is around the corner, and pandemic induced rules has changed the rules to 23-player squad, we will be analyzing the impact of each match on the T20I World Cup squad.
In a pitch where nobody got going, Suryakumar Yadavbatted beautifully – 56 (36) with 2 sixes. SKY is going from strength to strength after the India debut. He has a foot inside that World Cup squad.
The difference between the two sides was Krunal Pandya. From 126/7 in 17.3 overs, Krunal’s 15 (9) in 3 overs took MI to a respectable 152. When KKR were in a comfortable position, a miserly spell of 4-0-13-1 stalled KKR’s chase. He has been in-and-out of the T20I side, and this performance will just push him up the ladder.
Broken Cricket Dream of the Day: KKR Fans
The senior KKR batsman fail to live up to the hype. The strength of KKR was supposed to be their star-studded middle order—Eoin Morgan 9 (9), Dinesh Karthik 8* (11), Russell 9 (15), & Shakib 9 (9) this season. Yet, their only victories in the last two seasons have been due to Rana-Tripathi-Gill or Varun-Lockie.
DK not being able to finish the game & not even hitting a boundary was quite unlike him. Morgan hit one boundary, Shakib’s only 4 was an under edge against Rohit Sharma, & Russell’s only 4 was off of a free hit. Andre Russell, the batsman, has been especially disappointing over the last two seasons. 2019 apart and his contributions from the bat are minimal, especially with the likes of Lockie Ferguson & Ben Cutting on the sidelines.
Shah Rukh Khan summed it up perfectly.
Disappointing performance. to say the least @KKRiders apologies to all the fans!
Also hope Rohit Sharma is okay – twisted his ankle before his first ball. Ended up completing the over, but given his injury history, definitely a concern.
IPL 2021 Points Table
No need to go elsewhere for the Points Table. We will keep updating it in every article!
Teams
Played
Won
Lost
Tied No-Result
Points
Net Run Rate
1. Delhi Capitals
1
1
0
0
2
+0.779
2. Mumbai Indians
2
1
1
0
2
+0.225
3. Punjab Kings
1
1
0
0
2
+ 0.2
4. Royal Challengers Bangalore
1
1
0
0
2
+0.05
5. Kolkata Knight Riders
2
1
1
0
0
0.00
6. Rajasthan Royals
1
0
1
0
0
-0.2
7. Sunrisers Hyderabad
1
0
1
0
0
-0.5
8.. Chennai Super Kings
1
0
1
0
0
-0.779
IPL 2021 Points Table
Tomorrow’s Preview
The Sunrisers Hyderabadtake on the Royal Challengers Bangalore in Chennai. Who do you think will win this one?
Also, if you have not yet read our IPL Previews, here is a list of all of them! Check them out and share ahead:
The IPL is full of surprises and memorable moments. Here are my moments of today:
Chetan Sakariya & Arshdeep Singh – In a match aggregate of 438 runs, the highest wicket takers (and almost most economical) were 22-year old Arshdeep & 23-year old Sakariya. They were both smart with their variations and were given death bowling responsibilities—an area where even international level bowlers fail, they excelled. Oh and Sakariya took a blinder to dismiss Pooran while Arshdeep’s caught and bowled off Manan Vohra received much deserved praise from coach Jonty Rhodes.
KL Rahul Keeps On Going – Probably India’s best batsman of this generation, KL Rahul’s consistency in the IPL has been stellar. Last 3 seasons – 659, 593, & 670 runs. Today he struck it nicely with a wonderful 91, batting until the final over. Hope his that strike rate picks up from last year.
Given that the T20I World Cup is around the corner, and pandemic induced rules has changed the rules to 23-player squad, we will be analyzing the impact of each match on the T20I World Cup squad.
Despite India having Hardik Pandya, India are missing power hitters down the order. Krunal Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, & Dinesh Karthik might be smart, impactful finishers, but out-and-out hitters are missing. Think Yusuf Pathan or Andre Russell type players. Yesterday Abdul Samad impressed hitting 2 sixes against Pat Cummins, and today Deepak Hooda 64 (28) – 6 sixes & Riyan Parag 25 (11) – 3 sixesthrilled with their clean striking.
Wildcard entry for one of them?
Broken Cricket Dream of the Day: Samson So Close Yet So Far
Sanju Samson was the highlight of the day, even in a losing cause. After Stokes was dismissed for a duck and 2 down pretty, not many would have given RR a chase, but Buttler, Parag, Dube, & Samson took the game really slow. 5 needed off 2, Samson took responsibility on his own shoulder. Should he have run or not? What do you say?But as it turned out, Samson swatted away the last ball and what initially looked like a last-ball six turned out to be meters short. Broken Cricket Dream of the Day. Well played, lad.
Catches Lose Matches….or at least that is what the last 4 days (and IPL 2020) have showed us. Today, it was even worse. Stokes, Tewatia, Buttlerdropped catches from the Royals, while Murugan Ashwin, KL Rahul, & Mayank Agarwaltook turns for the Kings. Take out the dropped catches, and this is no longer a high scoring game.
I am not saying all fielding standards are bad, but it seems to be all or nothing these days. Blinders from Sakariya, Arshdeep, and Tewatia, and comical drops all around. Even Shami’s caught & bowled had miscommunication written all over it.
IPL 2021 Points Table
No need to go elsewhere for the Points Table. We will keep updating it in every article!
Teams
Played
Won
Lost
Tied No-Result
Points
Net Run Rate
1. Delhi Capitals
1
1
0
0
2
+0.779
2. Kolkata Knight Riders
1
1
0
0
2
+ 0.5
3. Punjab Kings
1
1
0
0
2
+ 0.2
4. Royal Challengers Bangalore
1
1
0
0
2
+0.05
5. Mumbai Indians
1
0
1
0
0
-0.05
6. Rajasthan Royals
1
0
1
0
0
-0.2
7. Sunrisers Hyderabad
1
0
1
0
0
-0.5
8.. Chennai Super Kings
1
0
1
0
0
-0.779
IPL 2021 Points Table
Tomorrow’s Preview
The Mumbai Indians take on the Kolkata Knight Riders in Chennai. Who do you think will win this one?
Also, if you have not yet read our IPL Previews, here is a list of all of them! Check them out and share ahead:
IPL 2021 Predictions! Now that every team has played at least one game, we are releasing the #BCDPredictionsby our followers. We asked our viewers to respond to who they think will be IPL 2020’s:
#Champions
#Top4
#MVP
#OrangeCap
#PurpleCap
#FairPlay
#EmergingPlayer
#SurprisePackage
#BrokenDream
Can MI make it three in a row? Can Dhoni retire in peace? What about KKR & the net run-rate curse? If you do not have enough information yet, do check out our quick Team Previews below 👇
“Oh I don’t know! Hard to see past Mumbai but what I always love is the match ups. Looking forward to Archer v Warner again and the Indian team battles. Think Stokes will have a better one, Sam Curran may struggle with huge expectations. Hope it stays Covid safe most of all #IPL“
The IPL is full of surprises and memorable moments. Here are my moments of today:
Surprises
KKR’s Top Order was the surprise of the day. With DK-Morgan-Russell-Shakib-Cummins (even Harbhajan the hitter), the question was if the top order could get going.
Rana-Gill 53 (42) & 93 (50) Tripathi-Rana set the platform for KKR
Nitish Rana (80) and Tripathi (53) have become cult heroes in the IPL. Always produce a couple of match winning innings each IPL. Can they get consistency this time around?
Dinesh Karthik is still India’s best finisher. From 157-2, Kolkata collapsed to 160-5 in 17.4. The much acclaimed Russell & Morgan out for 5 and 2 respectively. Dinesh Karthik moved around the crease to produce a 22* (9), taking KKR to 187. Time for a T20I recall. Oh and ABDUL SAMAD – India’s best power hitter? 19*(8) with 2 sixes.
Jonny Bairstow a class apart. 10-2 in 2 overs in a chase of 188? No worries, Bairstow will play his natural game. 55 (40) with 5 fours & 3 sixes. One of the cleanest strikers of the ball. He is my orange cap prediction for IPL 2021.
Honorable Mentions:Afghan duo Rashid-Nabi put the breaks on KKR with figures of 8-0-56-4; Manish Pandey’s steady 61*; Shakib takes wicket against his former team first ball; Prasidh Krishna impresses again
Tweet of the Day
Must watch analysis that went viral on Twitter yesterday.
Watch and read about the magician Rashid Khan here.
Harbhajan Singhcoming back after 699 days, last playing in May 2019. In a slow Chennai pitch and history of Warner’s poor record against Harbhajan, he was given the first over. First ball – slow, spin, guile – Warner edges it in the air. Dropped by Pat Cummins. Broken Dream. Did not bowl for the rest of the match.
Mohammad Nabigives a scare: Got hit at the back of his neck by Prasidh Krishna in the 16th over. 140 kph & Nab without neck protection guard. Really scary stuff. Came back with a strong 4 and then out. Hope he is okay in the long run.
IPL 2021 Points Table
No need to go elsewhere for the Points Table. We will keep updating it in every article!
Teams
Played
Won
Lost
Tied No-Result
Points
Net Run Rate
1. Delhi Capitals
1
1
0
0
2
+0.779
2. Kolkata Knight Riders
1
1
0
0
2
+ 0.5
3. Royal Challengers Bangalore
1
1
0
0
2
+0.05
4. Mumbai Indians
1
0
1
0
0
-0.05
5. Sunrisers Hyderabad
1
0
1
0
0
-0.5
6. Chennai Super Kings
1
0
1
0
0
-0.779
Rajasthan Royals
Punjab Kings
IPL 2021 Points Table
Tomorrow’s Preview
The Rajasthan Royals take on the Punjab Kings in Chennai. Who do you think will win this one?
Also, if you have not yet read our IPL Previews, here is a list of all of them! Check them out and share ahead:
