The Indian Premier League is already a fast-paced game as it is and due to its game format, strategies and techniques evolves just as fast as well, with teams and players always out for a new and better play to win against the opponents in this shorter and faster version of the traditional cricket game. However, this year’s season would see more changes being brought to the game, not because of the game format nor any kind of changes or evolution to how it is played, but due to the challenges forced by the entire coronavirus pandemic. Thus, the “new normal” for most sports–not just for Indian cricket–was introduced.
The good news for some people is that some aspects of the sport are just as it was–and one of them is cricket betting. Since online sports betting is done over the internet, fans can still be on the lookout for the IPL today match prediction just as they have always done. However, aside from that, a lot of things have changed, and everyone is in a sort adjustment period.
So, what are the changes that fans can expect for this year’s IPL season, and how can teams succeed in the “new normal” of sports?
The changes
One of the biggest changes in this year’s IPL season was that all the games would be played overseas, specifically in the United Arab Emirates. Additionally, the games would only be done across three different venues ion the UAE. This immediately removes the home and away playing routine that adds up to the dynamic of the games played back when they are playing the games locally. Now, the players are going to play in a place that most of them are not familiar with and in a field that most of them have not played on.
What does this mean? Not having a home and away from routine and playing in an unfamiliar field is more than just your body not being used to the playing field. For players, this would mean slower starts. You can expect a lot of plays to rely mostly on slow bowling and having an overall slower run rate for the games.
On the other hand, some things are expected to just go on as they did, and one of them is the trends in gameplay.
The trends
One of the most significant trends in the IPL and Indian cricket, in general, is that the intent to chase has always been there for a few years now. The trend was first seen to rise significantly in 2016. From the early days of the IPL up to the 2015 season.
For the 2016 season, more coaches and teams have shifted to being on the chase. This was due to the realization by many that matches are more likely to be won if you are on the chasing side. In fact, out of all the games played that year’s season, at least 68% of the matches that were won were won by teams that are on the chasing side.
Final thoughts
Although the IPL and Indian cricket have shifted to major changes, these changes and challenges are in no way permanent. In the same way that the entire pandemic is due to end and ease up at one point, the changes it brought about will eventually also go back to normal.
The 13th and 2020 season of the Indian Premier League will be streamed through the official streaming partners of the IPL, depending on which country you are living in.
