Friendships put to the test

Some of the magic of the IPL is the friendships it breeds between players from different countries. Magic can sometimes turn to trickery though and that happens when hostilities develop between players from the same country. In the match between Delhi Daredevils and Deccan Chargers, there were two occasions for that to happen and both times, it did, with deliciously interesting results.

Chargers’ Dale Steyn and Daredevils’ Morne Morkel used to share the new ball for South Africa in the Test set-up and became known as the fiercest combination in world cricket. With Vernon Philander, they are more like a thrilling trio, but the two still have a special bond from years gone by.

When Steyn had to take guard against Morkel, fireworks were expected. Would Morkel aim to bowl at his compatriot’s head? Would Steyn show off his batting skills against his bowling partner? In the end, neither happened as Morkel bowled two length balls, the second of which Steyn flicked away for two runs and then a short ball that Steyn did not survive. Steyn tried to go over cover but only got the shot as far as Virender Sehwag who took the catch to give Morkel his third wicket of the innings.

In the other incident, Sri Lankan batting pair Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene were involved. They are known for their chemistry at the crease, and are great friends off it and it would be difficult to imagine them exchanging any heated words.

However, with his team desperate for a win, after three losses, friendship was the last thing on Sangakkara’s mind when Jayawardene skied an off-drive in his direction. The ball looped to mid-off, giving Sangakkara enough time to settle under it and send his mate back to the change-room. While Jayawardene walked off with a quiet shake of the head, Sangakkara screamed in celebration.

The camera showed him clearly uttering something that cannot be repeated on a website such as this one and something that Sangakkara may find himself explaining to Jayawardene when the two next meet for a catch up, with a sprinkle of sheepishness.