The year 2020 has undoubtedly been strange. People have locked themselves inside their homes to stay safe from the novel coronavirus pandemic. Working patterns have changed, the way we interact with others have changed and the sporting scene has changed as well.
Across the globe, sport is being played in front of empty stands or with only a handful of fans watching the show live from the stadiums. Indian Premier League has been no exception. For the first time in its 13-year history, the IPL is being held in a window that is not April-May.
As it turns out, the IPL has thrown even more surprises in its first few weeks. Royal Challengers Bangalore, who have finished 8th, 6th and 8th in the last three seasons, are on top of the IPL 2020 points after 15 matches in the tournament.
IPL 2020 – Full Coverage
On the other hand, Chennai Super Kings, who have made the play-off in all the seasons they have featured in, are in danger of missing out for the first time. Having lost 3 matches on the trot after their win on the opening night of IPL 2020 against Mumbai Indians, MS Dhoni’s men are at the last spot with just 2 points in their kitty.
Former Chennai Super Kings and New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris took to social media to post a funny message, reflecting on the IPL 2020 points table.
“2020 really is one screwed up year! @RCBTweets are currently top of the @IPL AND @ChennaiIPL are at the bottom,” Styris wrote.
The points table is a true reflection of the forms the two teams have been in at IPL 2020. While Virat Kohli’s men, who have had a restructure at the management level, are looking sharp, with several players putting their hands up even as captain Kohli took time to get going in the tournament.
Meanwhile, Chennai Super Kings are looking a shadow of their dominant past self as they are finding different ways to lose matches that they should have not. MS Dhoni is under immense pressure as CSK’s top order, barring Faf du Plessis, are in poor form. Spin, which had been CSK’s strength, has turned into a cause for concern for the 3-time champions.
Interestingly, Virat Kohli, who is known for shuffling his side often, is retaining the same unit due to their winning run. On the other hand, MS Dhoni, who doesn’t like to change much, is tinkering with his squad in desperate need to find a winning combination.
Virat Kohli, who scored only 18 runs in his first 3 matches, got going on Saturday, proving his slow start was only a temporary concern at IPL 2020. Kohli took his time to settle into the innings, giving young opener Devdutt Padikkal the lead role in their partnership in chase of 155 against Rajasthan Royals in Abu Dhabi.
Virat Kohli hit an unbeaten 72 from just 53 balls, hitting 2 sixes and 7 boundaries to make sure RCB continued their winning run at IPL 2020.