It’s been a week full of strange and wonderful IPL.
Let’s start with one of the most extraordinary things you will ever see in a 14-year-old cricket field making his debut on the world’s largest tournament tour and hitting his first ball for six!
When Vaibhav Suryavanshi was signed by Rajasthan Royals at auction while he was still 13 years old, not many were expecting him to do the beginning – it seemed more likely that he would use the year by acclimating IPL intensity.
But with Sanju Samson wounded Rahul Dravid threw him in the deep end and he not only swam, he got into the water like Michael Phelps!
It was not just that he hit an international player (Shardul Thakur) for the first six ball, was the way he did it. This was not a high advantage that flew over Wicketkeeper’s head, he made room and destroyed it on extra-contempt with full contempt.
If there was ever a moment that shone a focus on the impact of IPL on Indian cricket, that was it.
The young Indian players are now educated to be in the largest phase and when they get there they are prepared and ready, even if at an age where they do not even need to shave.
All they know is IPL – the competition had already gone for three seasons when Suryavanshi was born.
Suryavanshi is younger than IPL, with three publications played before it was born even
It makes you ask yourself if we in the UK Sport should start looking a little different age. In India (and Pakistan for that issue) the attitude has always been ‘if you are quite good, you are old enough’.
Are we ever guilty that we assume players do not depend on the sign based solely on their young age? Suryavanshi is definitely a very talented Frak of nature, but it is food for thought.
Nair of top style again with a bang
As always on IPL there are excellent stories that include young and old.
At the age of 33, Karun Nair is hardly ‘old’, but he approached very close to forgetting. Eight and a half years ago he marked a century -old stunning test against England in Chennai. Three test matches later, he collapsed and was never seen in that arena.
Karun Nair of Delhi Capitals has resumed his career in IPL
A chronic loss of form and faith followed, culminating in it by falling from his state team (Karnataka) and a famous tweet in 2022 which read ‘Cricket Dear, gives me a chance more’.
After a resurrection in the form when he passed the states in Vidarbha, this chance came properly this season for Delhi’s capitals. Having not caught at the IPL auction for the previous three years, he hit an 89 gas on his first return and looked like old Nair – a fantastic ball timer with a simple, sharp technique.
IPL, it seems to be a great place to start your career, but it is also the perfect platform to reopen it.
Why did Kishan walk on the ground?
That was wonderful, strange was formerly Kishan deciding to get out of the field, thinking he would throw the ball back to the winner, when the replications showed that he did not.
Playing against his old Mumbai side for sunrisers, Deepak Chahar bowed him an innocent view shaking the side of the foot, which Ryan Rickelton highlighted.
No one appealed or even noticed an eyelid. In addition to Kishan, who returned properly and headed back to the pavilion.
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Umpire was left on after the Sunriers Hyderabad Batter Ishan Kishan left despite not hitting the ball!
The appearance on the Umpire face was invaluable – he was ready to signal wide, but when he saw Kishan coming out, a sudden view of panic washed on him and he ended up making a signal that I can only describe as 50 percent wide, 50 percent outside!
It was a perfectly strange moment and I can’t imagine that Kishan will make the same mistake again in a hurry. In fact, I expect him to go Full Stuart Broad in his future ranks and refuse to walk even if he ends the ball straight at first!
Mumbai on the charge
Mumbai ended up winning the quiet game and is now officially with a charge after winning four in bounce.
SURYAKUMAR YADAV Has helped to return the Mumbai Indian form
The return of Jasprit Bumrah has given the Bowling attack, Trent Bault is finding its shape and Suryakumar Yadav looks again a world beater with a stick.
Less than two weeks ago the Indians looked at the pace and asked you where their next victory was coming – this is how fast things can change in a T20 tour.
With only two points currently being divided from sixth to the table, we could be at a very tense and exciting end to the group stage.
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