The year 2020 was full of surprises with the world facing the COVID-19 challenge. The sporting world was severely affected by the pandemic and cricket was no exception and even got a new friend – the bio-secure bubble. Many tournaments got postponed, some happened as we look back into the year to remember for a lifetime. Here are some of the highlights of 2020.
Women’s T20 World Cup
The 2020 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup was the seventh edition of the coveted tournament. Australia won the tournament at home defeating India by 85 runs in the final that saw more than 86000 fans watching the game at MCG.
Ranji Trophy
The 2019–20 Ranji Trophy was the 86th season of the coveted tournament with Chandigarh competing for the first time. Bengal reached the final for the first time since the 2006–07, after beating Karnataka by 174 runs in the semifinals. Saurashtra defeated Gujarat by 92 runs to advance to the final for the fourth time in the last eight seasons. The final finished in a draw, with Saurashtra winning their maiden title, with a lead in the first innings of the match.
West Indies’ tour of England
West Indies toured England to play three Test matches in what was the first cricket played after COVID-19. The first match was played in Southampton while Manchester hosted the next two Tests in a bio-secure environment. England won the series 2-1.
Indian Premier League
While the IPL was originally scheduled to start on March 29, due to the rise of the COVID-19 cases in India, the cash-rich league was shifted to the UAE. This was the second time IPL was staged in the middle-east after 2014. Mumbai Indians registered a clinical five-wicket win against Delhi Capitals in the final to clinch the fifth IPL title. Incidentally, Chennai Super Kings became the first team to be eliminated from the league and the first instance they didn’t qualify for the play-offs.
Women’s T20 Challenge
Like the IPL, the Women’s T20 Challenge was also held in the UAE. Supernovas, Trailblazers and Velocity competed in the event. Smriti Mandhana-led Trailblazers defeated Supernovas by 16 runs to clinch the title at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. This was the first time that Trailblazers won the crown.
Postponement of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020 and Women’s World Cup
The ICC on August 7 confirmed that the Men’s T20 World Cup 2020 that was postponed due to COVID-19 will be held in Australia in 2022. India will host the 2021 edition as planned. The apex body also postponed the Women’s World Cup 2021 in New Zealand until 2022.
India’s tour of Australia
The Indian team returned to action in October during their series against Australia post-COVID-19 pandemic. This was also the first time crowds were allowed inside the stadium during an international tournament. The Virat Kohli-led side lost the first two ODIs before winning the third one. The Men in Blue defeated the hosts 2-1 in the T20I series.
After India clinched the T20I series, it was time for the action in whites. But things took an upside turn as India were bowled out for just 36 runs to lose the first Test in Sydney. Although there were few positives to take from the match, India’s lowest Test score dampened all the spirits. It was the first instance in Tests when all 11 batsmen, and extras, did not cross single-figures in an innings.
However, things turned in India’s favour when the Ajinkya Rahane-led side defeated Australia in Melbourne by eight wickets and that too without Virat Kohli, Mohammed Shami, Rohit Sharma. Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj blossomed on their debuts. This was the 100th Test match to be played between the two teams. Ravindra Jadeja played in his 50th Test. Mitchell Starc took his 250th wicket in Tests. Tim Paine became the fastest wicket-keeper to take 150 dismissals in Tests, in terms of matches played (33). This was India’s first win away from home when fielding first since August 2010.
Pakistan’s tour of England
The Pakistan cricket team toured England in August and September 2020 to play three Tests and three T20Is. All of the fixtures were played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ICC announced the use of technology to monitor front-foot no-balls for the first time in Test cricket. The third umpire called the front-foot no-balls and communicated this with the on-field umpires. England won the three-match Test series 1–0 after the second and third Tests were drawn. The T20I series was drawn 1–1, with the first match being washed out.
