This time around, in the IPL, there is a quiet anticipation looming. Because for the first time ever, two teams that have never won the title have made it to the finals. Punjab Kings are all set to take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru tonight after taking down Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2. Fans across the country are ecstatic at the thought of seeing a team that has never won the title finally lift the cup. But at the same time, while both teams have been playing incredible cricket, and are standing at equal footing; there can only be one winner at the end of the night.
While on one hand, Punjab Kings made it to the playoffs after a 12-year-long wait, Royal Challengers Bengaluru fans have been waiting patiently to see their idol, Virat Kohli lift the cup. The one thing that keeps popping up is the fact that it is IPL’s 18th year, Virat Kohli’s 18th year in the tournament and his jersey number too is 18. Fans believe that the stars have aligned, and the synchronicity points towards a title win for RCB.
Having announced his Test retirement in the middle of the IPL, fans are well aware that the days of seeing Virat on the field are numbered. The beloved batter has already retired from two formats, and fans want to see their hero win the IPL trophy before he retires from all formats of the game. Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer is quietly scripting a comeback worth the history books. After a blistering performance in the Qualifier 2 of the IPL, Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer is the talk of the town. Iyer had a turbulent last year having been left out of the annual BCCI contracts and then parting ways with Kolkata Knight Riders, a team that he had led to a title victory. Since then, Iyer has been on a winning streak, one that has included being a part of the Champions Trophy winning squad, leading Mumbai to a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy win and then completely changing the ins and outs of a franchise that would often finish the IPL in the bottom half of the points table.
Not only has Shreyas Iyer earned his place once again in the BCCI’s annual contracts, but he’s also receiving praise from some of the game’s greats for the way he has led PBKS. The Punjab Kings, a franchise that hasn’t traditionally commanded a massive fan base, are now witnessing a surge in popularity, thanks largely to Iyer’s heroics with the bat and his sharp leadership on the field.
It is not a question of who deserves the title more, but rather a strange phenomenon that we haven’t witnessed in the IPL yet. If fans had the option, they would happily give the trophy to both, because the two teams are both deserving of the title in their own right. But in sport, there is only one winner, and we are only hours away from finding out who it will be.
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