Cricketers Unlocked: The Best Of Instagram Chats, IPL Insights & Mutual Respect

The lockdown necessitated by the COVID-19 global pandemic resulted in a shutdown of most activities, including sports. Cricket is no exception, having seen zero activity in the last two and a half months. But some of the game’s superstars kept in touch with themselves and their fans by taking to Instagram Live to chat publicly. Fans lapped it up, appreciating the banter as well as insights provided by their favourite cricketers.

Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers

Stars like Royal Challengers Bangalore teammates Kohli and De Villiers enjoy immense popularity and fans often bank on them while placing bets on IPL. Once this year’s T20 league is rescheduled and the odds are listed, checking players’ insights and reading reviews on Indian bookmakers will come in handy for betting fans. RCB are priced at 7/1 to win the 2020 IPL.

De Villiers recently spoke about how there is more to Kohli than meets the eye.

The former South African captain said on Instagram Live that the Indian skipper is much deeper than just a cricket player. Many fall into the bubble initially but realise after a while that there’s more to life than just cricket. According to De Villiers, Virat has always been a thinker and keeps experimenting with a lot of things.

David Warner and Kane Williamson

Belonging to different camps in the Trans-Tasman rivalry, Aussie Warner and Kiwi Williamson are teammates at IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad, who have won the IPL trophy once. They, too, chatted on Instagram Live recently wherein Warner appreciated Williamson’s leadership role before the Australian was reinstated at Sunrisers following his one-year ban.

Thrilled to get the opportunity to lead Sunrisers again, Warner thanked the New Zealand captain and Bhuvneshwar Kumar for the way they marshalled the team during the last couple of years. Warner added that he’ll be banking on them for support and their insight into the game. He assured fans that he’ll try his very best to help Sunrisers win the IPL this year.

Rohit Sharma and Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj’s playing days have ended, but he continues to share a very good rapport with Team India star and four-time IPL-winning team Mumbai India’s captain Rohit. The duo interacted on Instagram Live last month when Yuvraj fondly recalled the glorious days of his career.

Comparing Indian teams of the first decade of 21st century with the one under Kohli, former India all-rounder Yuvraj felt the seniors were very disciplined during his time. Youngsters like Yuvraj looked up to them and followed the way they behaved, talked to the media and other aspects. But now, Yuvi thinks social media has reduced the sense of respect for seniors.

Tamim Iqbal and Faf du Plessis

Tamim, who was recently appointed captain of Bangladesh’s ODI team, is waiting for a second stint in IPL after one season with now-defunct Pune Warriors eight years back. Former Proteas skipper Du Plessis, on the other hand, is still a vital cog in the Chennai Super Kings machine. They chatted on Instagram Live recently, where Du Plessis lauded the Bangladesh team for no longer relying on a few players like Tamim and Shakib Al Hasan.

Tamim, a self-confessed Chennai Super Kings fan, asked Du Plessis about his experience of playing under MS Dhoni. The South African praised Dhoni’s leadership qualities, calmness under pressure and amazing ability to finish games by taking them to the wire.