Another brand new IPL season means another two months of organised chaos on and off the pitch, including but not restricted to bewildering comments, even more bewildering kits, hilarious mistakes, not-so hilarious haircuts, bouts of flirtation with the boundary fence (to touch or not to touch), towering sixes, flowering reputations and more cricket than all fantasy apps put together can wish for. But IPL 16 also means something else, the second edition of the Wrong ’Uns, My Kolkata’s weekly awards that promises to honour the brilliant and the bizarre (often one and the same) during the IPL season.
For our first instalment of 2023, we revive five of the most popular categories from last season besides adding three new ones. And, of course, the most unenviable award of them all, the White Cap, makes an inglorious return, putting every single IPL player on red alert (or is it white alert?) against the one ‘honour’ they would like to avoid this season.
The Socrates Award for Best On-Field Dialogue
Despite winning against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings (CSK) conceded 13 wides and three no balls in their first game on home turf this season. Reacting to the extra extras, Dhoni issued a stern warning with the gentlest of smiles: “We’re bowling too many extra deliveries… they’ll have to be ready to play under a new captain at some point of time… It’ll be my second warning and I’ll be off.” Ravindra Jadeja better be relaying this warning to the entire CSK bowling unit over and over again.
Most Startling Statistic of the Week
Sometimes the most shocking things in life are the ones that surprise us the least. Like the Mumbai Indians (MI) losing their first match of the IPL, which, until 2020, was even considered a good omen for the most successful franchise in T20 history. However, with their comprehensive loss against RCB on Sunday, MI have now made it 11 consecutive losses in their season opener, a record that will perhaps never be broken, but can definitely be extended. On a positive note, out of the past 10 occasions, MI have bounced back to win the title five times!
Most Disappointing Kit
After opting for the audacious and outrageous turquoise in their debut season, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have reverted to the IPL’s favourite colour palette this time around. As if the league did not have enough dark blue kits already, LSG have now joined the blue bandwagon (with spurts of red) in an outfit that the Delhi Daredevils of yesteryear might have liked to claim as their own. While the kit in itself is just about passable (their training kit is easier on the eye), LSG would need something special from their key players to make the IPL more colourful this season.
The Easter Award for Remarkable Resurrection
The internet showed no mercy in crucifying JioCinema last year during its ambitious undertaking of streaming the FIFA World Cup for free in India. As glitches abounded, viewers became more frustrated with the app than Cristiano Ronaldo with his Portuguese teammates. This year, though, Jio has resurrected its credibility by not only rolling out the IPL free of cost and unwanted time-outs, but also added a whole host of additional features along the way. From multiple fan zones to even more numerous camera angles, from smashing Bhojpuri commentary to real-time advanced match data, Jio’s IPL package might just be more impressive than the recent guest list of Hollywood’s A-listers in Mumbai.
The Reluctant Influencer Award for Insult to Injury
Kane Williamson injured his right knee during the tournament’s inaugural match against CSK while trying to intercept a ball headed for six off the bat of Ruturaj Gaikwad. While he did manage to save two runs with an acrobatic effort, Williamson could not save his knee from landing awkwardingly, potentially ruling him out for the rest of the competition. Already gutted at having to leave India so soon, it only made sense for Williamson to utter a few inane words for GT’s social media, before slipping into his car and heading for the airport. After all, injury or otherwise, the reels must go on!
Back with a Bang
With a combined age of 72, RCB’s opening duo of skipper Faf du Plessis and talisman Virat Kohli had a lot of questions to answer when they began their season against MI at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Chasing 172, RCB needed a strong start, but what du Plessis and Kohli delivered essentially sealed the match midway through their innings. An explosive 73 from du Plessis and a controlled 82 not out from Kohli helped RCB win by eight wickets, with 22 balls to spare. No better way to silence the critics and amplify the crowd noise in Bengaluru.
The White Cap
Less than six months ago, Suryakumar Yadav could do no wrong. In a rapid and cruel twist of fate, the 32-year-old just cannot get going right now. After a woeful ODI series against Australia, SKY began his IPL campaign with a laboured 15 off 16 and ended up being substituted for Jason Behrendorff during MI’s bowling innings. Little doubt then as to what the No. 1 T20I batter needs right now, the one thing that sticks to bad form like cameras to the Ambanis: our immaculate White Cap. Relish it and treasure it, SKY, but (for your and our sake) do not hold it too long!
