Indian Premier League (IPL) is a two-month long extravaganza of cricket that presents various moments of joy for cricket fans across the globe. With some of the world’s best players that feature in the league, the quality par excellence is on display in the IPL. The league also provides an opportunity for the fans to witness some of the most followed player battles in a different atmosphere.
However, after facing each other for years, these players’ battles have developed into mini IPL rivalries that unfold on the field. With uncertainty looming around IPL 2020, fans will dearly miss a few IPL rivalries that usually take center stage around the same time in the IPL.
Here’s a look at 3 player rivalries in IPL that will be greatly missed:
1. Virat Kohli vs Jasprit Bumrah:
Two of India’s most reliable players in their own respective fields, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah face-off is often highly anticipated in the IPL. Both these Indian cricketers go full throttle against each other in the IPL in an attempt to get the better of each other. In the past few seasons, Bumrah has been successful in planning Kohli’s downfall while the Indian captain has also had his fair share of success against Bumrah. Despite the result, it is one of the most followed IPL rivalries.
2. AB de Villiers vs Kagiso Rabada:
Known as Mr. 360, AB de Villiers has his own way of approaching the shortest format of the game. He’s one of the best in the business when it comes to his exploits in the IPL. However, things aren’t that easy for the Proteas’ legend when he is up against his compatriot Kagiso Rabada. The two pose an equally tough challenge as none of them is bogged down by taking the attack to the other. Rabada mostly relies on his variations or bowling accurate yorkers while de Villiers loves to bring out his innovative range of shots in responding to every challenge thrown at him.
3. Rohit Sharma vs Rashid Khan:
Indian vice-captain Rohit Sharma is one of the best players in the shortest format of the game. However, in recent years at the IPL, Rohit hasn’t been in the best of his form. While leading Mumbai in the past few seasons, Rohit has struggled to score anything big with the bat in the IPL. His major nemesis has been a plethora of leg-spinners who have troubled him on a number of occasions. Rohit has had an interesting battle against Rashid Khan in the IPL. While Sharma loves to play his shots against the spinners, Rashid has often presented a tough challenge to the Mumbai skipper.
