At one stage it seemed likely that there would be no IPL in 2020. The global pandemic saw sporting activity halted around the world, and the start of the league was indefinitely suspended.
When it did finally get underway, it had to be moved to the Middle East, in the unusual seasons of October and November. All matches were played behind closed doors and teams were closeted within biosecure bubbles.
Defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) topped the regular season table, followed by Delhi Capitals (DC). Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) finished first of three teams on 14 points. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) pipped Kolkata Knight Riders for the remaining playoff spot on net run rate.
In the first Qualifier in Dubai, Mumbai beat Delhi comprehensively by 57 runs. The next day, Hyderabad scored a five-wicket win over Bangalore in Abu Dhabi. In the second Qualifier, in the same ground, Delhi beat Hyderabad by 17 runs to set up a re-match with Mumbai in the final, on 10 November in Dubai.
Delhi won the toss, chose to bat, and lost Marcus Stoinis to the first ball of the innings. They were soon three down, but captain Shreyas Iyer led a recovery. He put on 96 for the fourth wicket with Rishabh Pant, who played a typical attacking innings, making 56 off 38 balls, including two sixes.
Iyer batted with the lower order to finish on 65 not out, including two sixes and six fours, but there was a feeling that his side’s 156/7 was not enough. Trent Boult and Nathan Coulter-Nile had helped put the brakes on the innings with controlled economical bowling.
Mumbai captain Rohit Sharma then assumed control to make 68, including four sixes and five fours. He found support from Quinton de Kock and Suryakumar Yadav, and Mumbai were always in control of the run chase.
Rohit wicket fell in the 17th over, but the stage was then set for Ishan Kishan to finish things off. Kishan made an unbeaten 33 off 19 balls as Mumbai eased to victory with eight balls and five wickets in hand. Boult’s 3-30 earned him the Player of the Match award.