Exclusive: IPL Cooking Up a Feast Just Like Its Star Restaurateurs, Say AB de Villiers and Chris Morris

Given how many IPL stars have become restaurateurs, it is perhaps fitting that this year's tournament is cooking up such an exciting climax, and two of South Africa's greatest performers in cricket's hottest commodity - AB de Villiers and Chris Morris - are delighted with how the 18th edition of the T20 extravaganza is unfolding.

Heading into the sixth weekend of action, the top six teams are within two points of each other. The top of the log includes teams that have never won the IPL, like the Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings, Lucknow Super Giants and Bengaluru Royal Challengers.

De Villiers, whose tremendous IPL record of 5162 runs at an average of 39.70 and a strike-rate of 151.68 is arguably the greatest of all time in the tournament, believes all 10 teams are in contention to win the competition.

"I've loved the IPL this season because all the teams have a chance to feature in the finals. All the teams are still in the running, which is great to see as we are just past halfway in the tournament. My call is that I would like a new team to win it this year," De Villiers told sportsboom.co.za in an exclusive interview.

"All my friends are loving it too and so are their children, because the quality of play has been great. The tournament started with a bang with some very high scores. But the totals have come down now, and I have called before for the balance between bat and ball to be evened out."

Morris, who became the then most expensive overseas player in IPL history when Rajasthan Royals signed him in 2021 for U.S.$2.3 million, also said the thrill of this year's tournament is in not knowing who the favourites are to win the title.

"It's been so unpredictable and the results haven't been as consistent as previously. There are teams that you definitely think will finish in the top three but they're not featuring at the moment - like Hyderabad Sunrisers. They are an explosive side with proper bowlers, but they're second-from bottom," Morris told sportsboom.co.za in an exclusive interview.

"You think a team is likely to push for top place but then the results just don't go their way. I now think Delhi Capitals might win because they have a lot of experience and guys that are not scared to play."

"Mumbai Indians are always pushing for the title, but they started badly. But if they get on a roll then they are so dangerous. Chennai Super Kings have some youthful players but have not featured as much as I thought they would."

"But I think Ricky Ponting is doing a wonderful job as head coach with the Punjab Kings. He's getting the combinations right, so they are getting on a roll and are in with a shout. That's why the SA20 was so good this year with MI Cape Town coming out on top. They were disappointing in the first two seasons, but with fewer superstars this year they got the job done. Having a different team win every year is very important for these T20 leagues," Morris said.

Popularised in SA

While De Villiers and Morris both popularised the IPL in South Africa with their stellar exploits, there is a new generation of Proteas players who are now shining in the tournament.

 The good friends from their days playing together for the Northerns Titans, ran the rule over their compatriots' showings.

"Aiden Markram has been in really good form, which is wonderful just before the World Test Championship final in June," De Villiers said. 

Any runs are great because it reinforces your belief in your ability. Form is a fickle thing and sometimes a fifty in a T20 game can allow you to take confidence into a Test match. So it bodes well for Aiden and the Proteas."

"It's a shame Kagiso Rabada has only been able to play a couple of games before coming home, because it's always nice to see him in action, he's one of my favourite bowlers because of the way he thinks about the game."

"David Miller has been a bit quiet, he's played a couple of good innings, but I'm sure he'll come good at the back end. Marco Jansen has shown what a wonderful cricketer he is with bat and ball."

"Ryan Rickelton looks so good but is just not converting. But he looks lethal and I'm sure at some stage he's going to play another big knock. It was great to see Dewald Brevis finally get a chance with CSK and score 42 off 25," De Villiers said.

While Morris suggested an interesting rule change to improve the balance between bat and ball at the IPL, he also praised the South African batsmen for their fine displays.

"Nowadays, teams are chasing 230 easily. Back in the day, you conceded 200 and you thought you had no chance; then teams would score 210 and it was game on. The dynamic has changed and so does the mindset of the bowler."

"I believe you need to arrive at the game knowing that you're going to be slapped around and it's just how you deal with it. Nowadays, if you go for 40 or 45 runs, I'd say you've done well, especially if you are a new-ball or death bowler, where there is nowhere to hide."

"I would actually like to propose a rule change: If you bowl a dot-ball, then it should be minus one run to the batting total. With the sizes of the fields, the pitches and the ball being the same weight, there have been no changes to allow the bowlers to catch up with the batters."

"Our South African batsmen have hit their straps nicely. Heinrich Klaasen has had a few starts but has probably not done as well as he would have wanted, although he is starting to show some form."

"Marco Jansen has been consistent, he's bowling in different periods of the game and he's bowled some beauties, as well as hitting a few balls out of the ground. I'm upset Faf du Plessis has been injured, but Tristan Stubbs has been very good. He's averaging 61 which shows what a gun batsman he is and that he really understands his roles."

"Ryan Rickelton has stood out nicely because there is always so much pressure playing for Mumbai Indians. He's slotted in well and played every game. Aiden Markram has also been gun and I'm very glad to see him batting so well now. It's difficult if you don't score runs in the first couple of games, but he bats at an important time and Justin Langer has really backed him with Mitchell Marsh at the top," Morris concluded.