IPL 2020 has been one of the most entertaining seasons ever. It has seen some great chases, finishes, super-overs, double super-overs, controversies, and few heartbreaks as well.
So, as the season comes to an end, here's the Cricwizz's list of innovative awards.
1) Most animated cricketer award - Virat Kohli, who else?
The RCB skipper has been the most animated in every ball of the match. He has been happier than the bowler himself whenever an opposition's wicket falls. And when RCB are faring poorly, and staring at defeat, his sullen face gives out all. Kohli just could never hide his emotions.
2) Superman award - Pooran, Mayank
It has been won jointly by Nicholas Pooran and Mayank Agarwal of Kings XI Punjab. Their fielding coach Jonty Rhodes, a champion fielder himself during his cricketing career, has worked hard with Punjab squad, and the result is visible on the field. Pooran has had dived full length outside the boundary line to catch a six, and threw it back into the field in time to save a few runs.
Mayank too did the same, when he jumped high at the boundary line to take a catch, and then threw it back into the field to save four runs in the second superover against Mumbai Indians.
3) The controversy king - Sunil Gavaskar
No, it's not King Kohli or Harbhajan Singh (he's not playing this season). But it is commentator Sunil Gavaskar who said Kohli was batting to balls thrown by his wife Anushka Sharma during lockdown to prepare for IPL after Kohli's poor scores initially. Gavaskar was trolled, and it was criticised by Anuska herself.
4) The heartbreak award - CSK fans
CSK fans were in for a heartbreak when their most loved team couldn't make it to the playoffs for the first time in IPL history. But more than that, it was the heartbreak for all cricket fans to see Indian legend cricketer MS Dhoni struggle to finish off games – something he carved a successful cricket career out of.
5) The great comeback award - KXIP
KXIP were languishing at the bottom of the points table at the half-way stage of the tournament. They had posted 1 win out of the first 7 games. But they came back strongly to win 5 straight games, and stay in contention for play-offs. It was one of the best comebacks in IPL history.
6) The ageless wonder award -Chris Gayle
At 41, he is the oldest cricketer playing in IPL 2020. He couldn't play the first half of the tournament. But as soon as he was in the XI, Kings XI Punjab's fortune changed with the team posting 5 wins out of 6. And Gayle posted 3 fifties out of those 6 games. He is an ageless wonder.
7) The sorry award - Dale Steyn
A veteran pacer like Dale Steyn was expected to go on a high this season, and leave the gentleman's game with his reputation intact. But Steyn's bowling was butchered by the opposition as he leaked runs, and looked a sorry picture of himself. The IPL career is all but over for Steyn.
