Dale Steyn Offers Apology If His Comments About IPL Has Upset Anyone
Mar 3, 2021 at 4:52 PM
South African pacer Dale Steyn found himself in the firing line after his comments comparing the Indian Premier League [IPL] with Pakistan Super League [PSL] and other T20 leagues went viral on social media.
The champion pacer has now taken to his official Twitter account to clarify his statement. Dale Steyn, who is currently representing Quetta Gladiators in the PSL, recently gave an interview to ‘Cricket Pakistan’ where he was asked about the reasons behind him opting-out from the 14th season of the IPL.
Dale Steyn Who Opted Out Of IPL 2021 Said PSL Is More Rewarding Than IPL As Cricket Takes Backseat As Large Sum Of Money Is Involved
Dale Steyn, who featured for the Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2020, had announced earlier that he will not be taking part in the upcoming 2021 season of the cash-rich league. Dale Steyn responded by saying that PSL and other T20 Leagues are more rewarding than the IPL as cricket sort of takes a backseat when it comes to the latter.
“I wanted some time off. I found that playing in these other leagues was slightly more rewarding as a player. I think when you go to IPL, there are such big squads and so many big names and so much emphasis on maybe the amount of money players earn and everything like that, so sometimes, somewhere down the line, cricket gets forgotten,” said Steyn to Cricket Pakistan.
“When you come to like a PSL or the Sri Lankan Premier League, for that matter, there is an importance on the cricket. I have only been here for a couple of days and I have had people in and out of my room, just wanting to know about where I have played and how I went about it.
“Whereas, when I go to something like the IPL that gets forgotten and the main topic is how much money did you go for in this IPL? That’s just me being brutally honest. I wanted to stay away from that and really put more emphasis on playing and bringing good vibes to good cricket teams and tournaments I feel are worth it,” he added.
Dale Steyn featured for the Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2020 where he was forced to warm the bench for most parts of the season due to his poor form. In 3 games, the former Proteas cricketer managed just one wicket at an average of 133 and an economy rate of 11.40, and a strike rate of 70.
He had started his IPL career with the Bangalore outfit but later moved on to represent three other franchises namely Deccan Chargers, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Gujarat Lions. He returned to RCB in 2019. But, across the last two seasons 2019 and 2020, he failed to make an impact with the ball as he had suffered an injury during IPL 2019 and was totally out of form in IPL 2020 which had also resulted in him getting dropped from the team.
Dale Steyn’s Comments Caused A Huge Furor After Which He Apologized
Dale Steyn’s comments caused a huge furore on social media with Indian fans lambasting the former South African cricketer. Dale Steyn, on Wednesday, took to his official Twitter account to clarify his words.
IPL has been nothing short of amazing in my career, as well as other players too.
My words were never intended to be degrading, insulting, or comparing of any leagues.
Social media and words out of context can often do that.My apologies if this has upset anyone.
Much love— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) March 3, 2021
The pacer said that IPL has been amazing for his career and that his words were never intended towards degrading, insulting or comparing leagues. The Proteas cricketer proceeded to apologize to those who got upset by his comment.
”IPL has been nothing short of amazing in my career, as well as other players too. My words were never intended to be degrading, insulting, or comparing of any leagues. Social media and words out of context can often do that. My apologies if this has upset anyone.
Much love.” wrote Dale Steyn.
Dale Steyn has 97 wickets from 95 matches in IPL averaging 25.85 at an economy rate less than 7. After outstanding performances with the ball from 2008 to 2014, his form dropped as he picked only 8 scalps in the next 6 years in IPL and missed playing IPL 2017 and IPL 2018.