Top 5 most debated topics in IPL 2020 - Week 1

The 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) kicked off last Saturday. This season has been extremely engaging one for the fans. We have seen some close-finishes, as well as some dominating victories.

The initial week has brought about some interesting topics of discussion. From the approach of superstars like Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni to the untimely demise of Professor Deano, the fans have had a lot to talk about right from the word go. Fans would be hoping for more excitement in the coming weeks. We have hand-picked five most-talked-about issues in the first week of this year’s Indian Premier League.

Here are the 5 most debated topics in the first week of IPL 2020:

1. Cricketers and healthy waistlines

Cricketers like Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni and Hardik Pandya have shown how important it is to be fit as a cricketer. However, this season we have seen some cricketers who lack fitness compared to their counterparts. Several experts have pointed out the need for staying fit on social media.

Saurabh Tiwary looked almost unrecognizable when he walked in for Mumbai Indians in the first game of the season. Although he batted well and top-scored for MI, he struggled to take quick singles. Even the Indian vice-captain Rohit Sharma seemed to have put on quite a bit of weight in the Covid-19 lockdown. Piyush Chawla and Shimron Hetmyer did not look as fit as needed.

The season has just started, and for players to maintain their place in the Playing XIs, they would have to start taking their fitness seriously. Otherwise, they would be more injury-prone and will not be able to sustain for the course of 14 games.

2. Short-run controversy

This incident took place in the 2nd match of Dream11 IPL 2020 between Kings XI Punjab and Delhi Capitals. Delhi Capitals ended up winning the game in the super-over. However, the match did not end without controversy.

In the 19th over of the run-chase, Agarwal and Jordan ran a double off a Kagiso Rabada yorker. However, square leg umpire Nitin Menon signalled it a short-run. Simon Doull, who was on air, said that the run was absolutely legal after looking at the replays. KXIP later lodged an appeal over the short-run call.

This decision received a lot of flak from KXIP owner Preity Zinta and former cricketer Virender Sehwag. Zinta tweeted, “I travelled enthusiastically during a pandemic, did six days of quarantine and five Covid-19 tests with a smile but that one Short Run hit me hard. What’s the point of technology if it cannot be used? It’s time @BCCI introduces new rules. This cannot happen every year.” Sehwag also tweeted saying that the umpire who gave the short-run should have been the man of the match.

3. MS Dhoni’s intent

Former India captain MS Dhoni retired from international cricket on 15th August this year. However, his intent was heavily criticized in CSK’s matches against Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals. Multiple former cricketers voiced their opinion on this. Gautam Gambhir said that the sixes he hit were “personal runs” and that he should have walked in earlier and led from the front.

In the game against Rajasthan, MS walked in at number 7. The likes of Gaikwad, Curran and Jadhav went into bat before him while chasing a mammoth target of 216. When he came in to bat, he scored 9 runs off 12 balls till the penultimate over. After the game was practically over, he smashed 3 sixes off 3 consecutive deliveries in the final over.

Against Delhi, the target was an achievable 176. However, Dhoni again sent in Gaikwad and Jadhav before himself. It did not help CSK’s cause at all, with the required run rate being above 15 when MSD came in to bat. Their extremely defensive approach ended up in a 44-run loss.

4. Virat Kohli dropping catches

India and RCB captain Virat Kohli is one of the best fielders in world cricket. With his athletic built and alertness on the field, he has created a name for himself. This season, however, his catching has been in the news for the wrong reasons.

In the clash against Kings XI Punjab, Kohli dropped two catches of in-form KL Rahul. He dropped the first one off the bowling of Dale Steyn at 83. The catch was a little tough, but easy for his standards. He then dropped a sitter of Saini’s bowling in the next over when Rahul was at 89. These dropped catches ended up costing RCB 49 runs, which shifted the momentum in Kings XI Punjab’s favour.

Trolls on social media have drawn comparison with Rohit Sharma, who has fielded well in spite of not being as fit as Kohli. However, it is just a matter of time before King Kohli comes back strong. His good fielding is extremely integral for the morale of the entire RCB squad.

5. Demise of Dean Jones

Former Australian cricketer Dean Jones lost his life on 24th September in Mumbai. He was one of the commentators of the Indian Premier League this season. He died of a heart attack in the lobby of the hotel he was staying in.

Former Australia fast bowler Brett Lee tried to give him a CPR, but the attempt was an unsuccessful one. Jones’ wife thanked Brett Lee for his “tireless efforts” to keep him alive. She also said that it was a huge loss for her family.

The Dugout (Star Sports Analysis Show) would never be the same without him. Scott Styris and Graeme Swann were extremely sad because of the loss, and it would definitely take the entire cricketing fraternity to come to terms with this unfortunate incident. May ‘Professor Deano’ rest in peace.

Written by~Shayan Khan