The IPL chugs along and continues to draw criticism for being held at a time when the nation is undergoing arguably its worst and most deadly crisis. It is inexplicable that at a time such as this, cricketers are neither expressing their sorrow, nor condoling with people who have lost loved ones, nor offering to help on social media. Two players testing positive and a cancelled match are also making headlines. Here’s what has gone on with IPL 2021.
Royal Challengers Bangalore won the toss and decided to bowl. Punjab Kings made 179 for five, with K L Rahul making 91 off 57.
Virat Kohli, Harshal Patel and Rajat Patidar tried to get going but were dismissed in their 30s. Harpreet Brar took crucial wickets and PBSK won by 34 runs.
Brar received the Player of the Match award for his vital three wickets and economical bowling (he gave away just 19 runs).
Mumbai Indians bowled first after winning the toss. Ambati Rayudu was in a mood and smashed 72 off 27. The usually canny Jasprit Bumrah got hit for 56 runs in his four overs. Chennai Super Kings made a very respectable 218 for four.
Mumbai got there but it was close – they won on the very last ball.
It was his vital wickets that made a difference and MI fans were delighted that CSK was beaten.
Sun Risers Hyderabad won the toss and put Rajasthan Royals in to bat. RR made 220 for three with Jos Buttler making a fiery 124 from 64 and later being declared player of the match.
This time David Warner was replaced by Kane Williamson as captain but this did not improve the fortunes of SRH.
They could only manage 165 for eight and fans were raising questions about things that go on behind closed doors about captaincy and team management.
Delhi Capitals won the toss and put PBSK in to bat. PBSK made 166 for 6 with a valiant 99* from Mayank Agarwal.
Thanks in large part to Shikhar Dhawan’s 69, DC was able to win.
In the end DC won quite easily with 14 balls left. Mayank Agarwal received Player of the Match award in spite of being on the losing side.
Today was to be Kolkata Knight Riders versus RCB. However, COVID put a spanner in the works. KKR spinner Varun Chakravarthy and medium-pacer Sandeep Warrier have tested positive.
The much-vaunted bio bubble that was supposed to protect players didn’t seem to work. The IPL 2021 organisers now face a rescheduling nightmare for the matches to come.
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