From Kohli’s records to World T20, 5 things cricket fans can expect from 2021

After all that the world of cricket had to endure last year, it might sound like a long shot to some of you to predict a sunny weather for 2021. But it also remains a fact that that the IPL and some other tournaments showed that the love for the sport and the will to pull it off against the odds trump adversities of all kind, including a global pandemic.

So here are those five things that you can expect as a cricket fan in the year that has started with many promises

India pulling off an encore in Australia

The way India pulled off a stunning victory in Melbourne in the absence of some of its regulars, it has given a hope that they still carry enough gas in the tank to register an encore of 2018-19. True, it looked unlikely in 2020 but a lot of things did, and here we are. Are not we?

Crowds returning to stadia

We have already seen that happening in a few countries, including Australia where India are in the middle of a Test series. The trend is going to set in as the world continues to recover better and although medical science works in ways difficult for this author to comprehend, there is no harm in hoping that 2021 will give us the joys of seeing full capacity stadia with fans creating the same the atmosphere we love the sport for.

An Amazing IPL

Last year taught us many things. Amid a flurry of lessons, we also learnt that the IPL is the hotshot of world cricket and it has got amazing healing powers too. To get the whole world together and stage a grandiose like that, only IPL could have done that. This year, with things getting better hopefully, the tournament will flex even more.

India doing well at World T20

The tournament could not be held last year but this year it’s finally happening. And it’s happening in India. The last time the tournament was held in India we saw India do fairly well and make it to the semis before running into a matador of a team – West Indis. This year, we will be better prepared. If anything, IPL has produced some sensational T20 talent and during T20Is against Australia, we saw how ruthless this new unit can be.

Captain crushing a few records

Every year is Virat Kohli’s year. It’s been the trend for the past few years. The captain who will be a father soon is not going to let anything change this year. He knows there are a few big assignments lined up with England starting their India tour from next month and the India and RCB skipper will be itching to start it all on a positive note.

And last but not least, there is no harm in expecting ‘that trophy’ in our cabinet.