A few months back, Steyn, while playing for Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League (PSL); deemed that the quality of cricket was more rewarding in the PSL. Further, he reasoned that the IPL often involved a lot of commercial endorsements and side deals, which, a lot of the time, took the players’ focus out of the main sport.
Steyn claims the quality of cricket more rewarding in PSL; several Indian fans left unhappy
Indian fans were not happy with Steyn’s remarks; many of them claimed that Steyn’s inability to perform well in the IPL was what prompted him to make such comments. The former Royal Challengers Bangalore pacer copped much flak for his opinions over on his social accounts. Ultimately, he had to clarify his comments to not unnecessarily offend his Indian audiences.
Things, however, took a slightly comical turn in early March (with regards specifically to the Steyn situation) when the PSL had to be called off midway because of the growing number of COVID-19 cases in Pakistan. This development allowed some of Steyn’s Indian critics to troll the Protean pacer for siding over with the Pakistan-based tournament.
A verified Twitter user called Aashish Chandorkar (@c_aashish) happened to be one such Twitter troll. On 4 March, Aashish made a tweet directly calling out Steyn to take the time and figure out which T20 league was better. Further, he accounted for the fact that the 2020 edition of the IPL, once started, could actually finish on time according to the original schedule; something that the PSL 2021 had failed to do.
Haha you’re funny.
— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) March 4, 2021
Verified Twitter user trolls PSL and Steyn for mismanaged COVID situation; Steyn hits back with a sly dig
At the time, Steyn had simply acknowledged his comments replying “Haha you’re funny”. But as it’d turn out; exactly 2 months later, Steyn would get to have the last laugh over the matter. On 4 May, the Board of Control for Cricket in Inda (BCCI) postponed the IPL 2021 indefinitely- ironically- because of the deteriorating COVID situation in some of the franchises’ bio-bubbles.
And Steyn, keeping up with his witty social banter, had just the perfect one-word, one-emoticon reply for his former troll.
Hi 😷
— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) May 4, 2021
All jokes aside, India is currently dealing with a devastating second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The average infection rate and the number of recorded deaths have provided for some extremely unsettling figures. In such testing times, Steyn-gun also made sure to extend his prayers and best wishes to everyone affected by the disease.
Covid don’t care.
It has no favorites.Get well to those sick and hopefully everyone else will get home safe and in good health.
— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) May 4, 2021
