IPL 2020 Preview: After much uncertainty, IPL 13 is fully equipped

 

From postponing, to hitting guesses about not having it at all, the IPL 2020 is finally set to see action.

When the Indian Premier League was discussed not long ago, speculations weren't as to who would shine and which franchise would win. It was all about whether to hold the IPL 2020 at all. With the COVID-19 pandemic spreading in chaos around the world, sport, just like everything else, has entered an endless lockdown in sight. So, when the Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on 15 April that the IPL 2020 had been postponed "indefinitely", that seemed somewhat final. But the event was so invested in it by franchisees and other stakeholders that it could not be discarded, so, after much quackery, which included the postponement of the ICC T20 World Cup, new dates have been set as of September 19.

The next thing that hit the tournament was the backlash after the border confrontation with China, in which anger was directed at the title sponsors, a Chinese mobile phone company. Therefore, BCCI and the IPL Board of Directors had to do some firefighting before finding a new sponsor.

While IPL was in the news as a whole, singles players and one franchise in particular were added to the drama, with MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) making headlines.

Donnie came first, announcing his retirement from international cricket with a brief post on social media on the evening of August 16. Soon after, Raina followed suit, too.

Then Raina suddenly announced that he would return to India for "personal reasons" and although he later indicated that he could return, this chapter has not been written yet.

Shortly thereafter, Harbhajan Singh also announced that he will lose the IPL 2020. He has never left India.

While all this was happening, it emerged that 13 members of the CSK team, including players Deepak Chahar and Rotoraj Gaekwad, had tested positive for the Coronavirus and the specter of suspension of the tournament loomed again.

However, none of that happened and as things stand, CSK will face Mumbai Indian champions when the competitions begin at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on September 19.