A 2021 risk-free IPL sets the stage for T20 World Cup

By Mariah Ramharack April 11, 2021

On many a Sunday, I realize that people have looked at the stories they have seen throughout the week with different lenses. I have my own personal take on some of these trending issues and I will share them with you. Welcome to #INCASEYOUMISSEDIT the 2021 edition with Mariah.

   A 2021 risk-free IPL sets the stage for T20 World Cup.

The 14th edition of the Indian Premier League, IPL is off to a competitive start despite concerns over spikes in Covod-19 infections in India. India has averaged 90,000 new infections daily but the richest T20 tournament has proceeded with eight teams playing 52 games at six venues.

On April 1, India became the second country after the U.S to report 100,000 new cases in a single day.

Before the start of the tournament, four cricketers and a team consultant tested positive for Covid-19 and were isolated. In addition, 10 members of the ground staff at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium tested positive.

The stadium has been earmarked to host 10 games, and as such, the number of infected grounds men raised questions regarding the tournament being played in six cities when spectators are not allowed.

There is no doubt that managing these bubbles will be difficult but once executed properly it will go some way into reassuring organizers of the ICC men’s T20 World Cup scheduled for October.

Cancelling the tournament would cause massive financial losses and have a potentially disastrous ripple effect if a large number of players become infected. The spillover could significantly impact India’s cricket calendar which includes 14 tests, 12 ODI’s, 22 T20’s as well as the World T20.

What is making a difference are the vaccines that are now available.

  Real Madrid looks dangerous.

Saturday’s El Clasico had a bit of everything as defending La Liga champions Real Madrid beat Barcelona 2-1 at the Alfredo Di Stefano stadium to move to the top of the table.

There was controversy, yellow cards, goals, rain, and a thrilling end.

Los Blancos, fresh of their 3-1 Champions League win over Liverpool on Tuesday, went into the match with similar energy. When Karim Benzema scored the opening goal, his ninth in the last seven games, he became one of four Real Madrid players to ever score in consecutive El Clasico encounters joining Ruud van Nistelrooy, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.

Toni Kroos doubled the lead before half-time and even though Óscar Mingueza García pulling one back late in the second half, Real Madrid was simply tactically superior.

 The firepower and finesse displayed by Real Madrid clearly demonstrate that they are not ready to concede the title without a fight.

  Draymond Green knows better and should do better.

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green last Thursday said his tweets about the pay disparity between men and women’s sports have been “misconstrued”. “I am on their side,” he declared.

His response came after U.S women’s soccer team star Megan Rapinoe lashed out saying Green’s tweets were “unfortunate” and that she expected he would have had a more informed opinion.

In his tweets posted on March 27, Green blamed women for making “complaints rather than taking action to reduce the pay gap between men and women playing the same sport.  Green’s response that they want the same thing is not enough.

Initially, I found his tweets quite alarming, especially his use of the word “complaints” because he comes from a household where his mother Mary Baker is very expressive and he has been cited saying he has adopted that quality from her. There is no doubt that Green wants to see the women thrive but he can do better.

The first step to allyship is listening and then assisting. The first response of posting on Twitter did more harm than good.  The fact that he is now the centre of the conversation shifts the focus from the issue of wage parity. It would be only fair that Green use his political capital and resources to assist where he can.

 

 

 

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    Vinicius Junior scored twice to send Real Madrid 10 points clear at the top of La Liga with a 4-2 win over Osasuna.

    The Brazil forward, who was this week subjected to more racist abuse from rival fans, leading to his club filing a complaint with the Spanish legal authorities, opened the scoring in the fourth minute but the league leaders were pegged back almost immediately by Ante Budimir.

    Dani Carvajal restored Madrid’s lead in the 18th minute following some neat work inside the area by Federico Valverde and second-half goals from Brahim Diaz and Vinicius sealed the win before Iker Munoz’s late consolation for the hosts.

    Second-placed Girona lost further ground on Madrid after slipping to a 1-0 defeat at Getafe.

    The Catalan side suffered a fourth defeat in six games after going down to Jesus Santiago’s first-half strike, the visitors missing a handful of chances in the second half.

    Gorka Guruzeta scored twice in the first half as Athletic Bilbao ran out 2-0 winners over Alaves to move into the top four, while Granada’s survival hopes suffered another huge blow as they were defeated 1-0 by Mallorca

    In Germany, Harry Kane broke another Bundesliga record and helped Bayern Munich come from behind to beat Darmstadt 5-2, but the England captain was unable to finish the match due to an ankle injury.

    Bayern, who moved seven points behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen ahead of their trip to Freiburg on Sunday, fell behind to a Tim Starke goal but Jamal Musiala levelled things up before Kane headed in his 31st goal of the campaign to become the first player to do so in a debut Bundesliga season.

    Further goals from Musiala, Serge Gnabry and Mathys Tel secured the points but Kane limped off eight minutes from time after twisting an ankle in the goal netting, which could make him a doubt for England’s upcoming friendlies with Brazil and Belgium.

    Stuttgart strengthened their chances of a Champions League place with a convincing 3-0 victory over Hoffenheim, Enzo Millet opening the scoring before Serhou Guirassy – with his his 24th of the season – and Jamie Lewelling finished things off.

    Mainz beat fellow strugglers Bochum 2-0, Union Berlin defeated Werder Bremen 2-1, Augsburg continued their search for a European spot with a 3-1 win over Wolfsburg while Heidenheim drew 1-1 with Borussia Monchengladbach.

    In Italy, Lazio came from behind to beat Frosinone 3-2 in the first game since Maurizio Sarri resigned as coach of the capital club.

    Frosinone went ahead through Pol Lirola but Lazio, despite being second best for much of the half, equalised seven minutes before the break through Mattia Zaccagni.

    Valentin Castellanos scored twice in the second half to put Lazio in charge and they held on despite Walid Cheddira pulling a goal back for the third-bottom hosts.

    Goals from Duvan Zapata and Nikola Vlasic gave Torino a 2-0 win over Udinese while Salernitana slumped closer to relegation after Norbert Gyomber’s 18th-minute own goal saw Lecce claim a 1-0 victory.

    Monza climbed into the top half of the table with a 1-0 win over Cagliari.

    Nice leapfrogged Lens into fourth place in Ligue 1 with a 3-1 victory.

    Terem Moffi struck twice, either side of a Khephren Thuram goal, to put Nice in control and Lens could only respond through Elye Wahi’s 76th-minute consolation.

    Nantes still occupy the third and final relegation place after a 3-1 loss to Strasbourg left them with a fourth defeat in five games.

  • Vinicius Junior at the double as Real Madrid win at Osasuna. Vinicius Junior at the double as Real Madrid win at Osasuna.

    Vinicius Junior scored twice as LaLiga leaders Real Mardid won 4-2 at Osasuna.

    The Brazil forward, who was this week subjected to more racist abuse from rival fans, leading to his club filing a complaint with the Spanish legal authorities, fired Real in front after just four minutes.

    Although Osasuna hit back through Ante Budimir, a well-taken goal from Real captain Dani Carvajal had the hosts ahead at the break.

    Brahim Diaz scored a third on the break just after the hour mark before Vinicius slotted in his second of the afternoon and Iker Munoz struck a late consolation for the visitors.

    Carlo Ancelotti’s side, who were missing England midfielder Jude Bellingham through suspension, made a bright start.

    Vinicius gave them an early lead when he took the ball off Osasuna defender Alejandro Catena and ran through to beat the goalkeeper in the fourth minute.

    The Brazilian then saw another chance saved after he tried to round keeper Sergio Herrera and Osasuna hit back when Budimir scored from a corner.

    Los Blancos, though, regained the lead in the 17th minute when Carvajal latched on to a chipped pass from Federico Valverde to hook the ball in with the outside of his boot.

    Following such a frantic start there was a brief lull before Osasuna forward Jose Arnaiz fired another chance over and then Vinicius saw his effort fly just wide before Antonio Rudiger’s header was blocked.

    As half-time approached Arnaiz’s curling shot from outside the box was saved by Real keeper Andriy Lunin at full stretch.

    Vinicius needlessly picked up a yellow card for dissent when laughing at a decision from referee Martinez Munuera before the break, meaning he will be banned for the LaLiga game against Athletic Bilbao after the international break.

    Real, who will face Manchester City in the Champions League quarter-finals, further extended their lead on the hour mark when Diaz raced on to a long kick up field from Lunin, which had been flicked on by Valverde.

    Vinicius got his second goal soon after as Valverde turned provider again.

    He chested the ball into the path of the Brazilian, who ran into the left side of box and slotted a low shot into far corner for a sixth goal in his past four appearances.

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    Ancelotti said: “We’ll take advantage of the break to give them some minutes in a couple of friendlies with the academy and I think they could be back in contention.

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