3 Reasons Why the IPL 2021 Is the Best Season Yet: The Indian Premier League is famous for the surprises it springs on viewers, pundits and players. Even the guys on the field can’t tell what’s going to happen! It’s no wonder the IPL brand, along with the T20 format, is rapidly transforming into the most popular version of the sport.
Regardless of whether you think Test matches or T20 games are the pinnacle, there’s no denying the excitement when the IPL circus rolls around. However, the 2021 season has been unusually enjoyment-fuelled, even by the standards set from previous tournaments. Is it the best campaign yet? It’s close, and these are the reasons why.
Off-Field Suspense
Normally, it’s all about what goes on inside Indian cricket grounds. It may be a stunning catch that nobody expected or an innings-defining 50 that takes the game away from the opposition. This year, the off-field antics have taken centre stage, ultimately ending in the competition being postponed when it was only halfway through.
Once the decision was taken, no one was sure whether IPL 2021 would return to action. Thankfully, the United Arab Emirates offered its help again, enabling the organisers to fulfil the last 32 fixtures. As soon as this happened, the anticipation for fans, in the stands and at home, hit a fever pitch. The atmosphere in the stadium for the first game back showcased this better than anything else as it was electric. With fans happy the tournament is taking place, the same has applied to each match since.
In It to Win It
If you look at how the tournament has panned out in recent years, you might be forgiven for assuming that Mumbai Indians’ name is on the trophy. After all, the franchise has won it the last two times and has claimed the title on five occasions in the past eight versions of the IPL. In terms of variety, there doesn’t seem to be much flexibility.
That’s the risk sports run when a team begins to outgrow an event. The good news is that 2021 isn’t shaping up to be one of those occasions. At the time of writing, MI is towards the bottom of the table. Still, the side is only a win or two away from making it into the playoffs. Don’t despair, though, because the same goes for Rajasthan Royal, Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders. The level of competition means it’s impossible to miss a single game at this crucial stage, which is why the Sportsadda and IPL combo is a match made in heaven for anyone who wants to follow the action live.
Flared Tempers
Maybe it’s the closeness of this year’s tournament, or maybe it’s the fact that the players are desperate to win the IPL after everything they have gone through over the past 18 months. Whatever it is, IPL 2021 season seems to be fiercer than ever. The contest between Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders is a prime example.
During a highly anticipated match, Rishabh Pant nearly knocked out Dinesh Kartik with his bat, while Ravichandran Ashwin was at the centre of another controversy. This time, it wasn’t a ‘Mankad’ incident, but a run that everybody from the KKR players to Shane Warne believed shouldn’t have been taken. The anger on the wicket in the heat of the moment was matched off the field when every man and his dog gave their opinion. Whichever side of the argument you fall on, there’s no doubt Ashwin will be public enemy number one for the rest of the tournament.
Ranking the best season of the IPL is challenging because different people have contrasting opinions. What we can say is that the features above make the 2021 edition highly compelling viewing.
