‘My apologies’: Dale Steyn clarifies stance on IPL controversy

Dale Steyn has issued a clarification over his comments on the Indian Premier League (IPL). The South African great, in an interview had said that “cricket kind of gets forgotten” in the money talks in IPL, adding that Lanka Premier League (LPL) and the Pakistan Super League (PSL) focus more on cricket compared to the IPL.

“I found that playing in those other leagues was slightly more rewarding as a player,” Steyn had said while talking about his IPL experience. “I think when you go to the IPL there are such big squads and so many big names and so much emphasis on the amount of money that the players earn that somewhere along the line the cricket kind of gets forgotten. When you come to the PSL or the LPL, there’s an importance on the cricket.”

Steyn’s comments had stirred up a storm in India with Indians incensed at the fact that he praised the PSL over the IPL.

Following the backlash, the bowler clarified him stance on the matter saying that “IPL has been nothing short of amazing in my career”.

Steyn said that he had not intended to degrade, insult or compare any of the cricket leagues.

“Social media and words out of context can often do that. My apologies if this has upset anyone. Much love,” he tweeted.

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 South African pacer has had an impressive record as far as the IPL is concerned. The highest auction price for the fast bowler came in consecutive seasons in 2014 and 2015, when Sunrisers Hyderabad snapped him up for INR 9.5 crore (approx. USD 1.3 million today). He has taken 97 IPL wickets at 6.91, making him one of the most economical bowlers of the cricket league.

Meanwhile reaction from most Indian IPL fans on Twitter was quite aggressive, with some hurling personal insults at Steyn.

IPL produced so many talented players from Ashwin to Natarajan but playing psl is useless only retired and out of form players like Steyn playing psl

— m.sathish (@manick_sathish) March 3, 2021

He know in IPL his career is over .& This statement will fix his place in psl for atleast 2 year . meanwhile while steyn pic.twitter.com/V4ODwThZEY

— Rishabh 🇮🇳 (@Rishav4501) March 2, 2021

Players like @MHafeez22 are becoming better and better in their old age & see Steyn. I have seen him in IPL when Rahul was smashing him all around and today he just did the same.
Dear Steyn, don't mind but get the retirement before ending your career on worst note.@aaliaaaliya pic.twitter.com/hi3SFdvSlM

— Amit (@Amity4116) February 26, 2021

Dale Steyn in IPL since 2015:-
Matches:- 12
Wickets:- 8
Avg:- 48.625
SR:- 30.5
Eco:- 9.56..
Definitely it has been less rewarding for him.. he definitely forgot Cricket in IPL to some extent..

— Muzammil 🇮🇳 Requests you to wear a mask. (@Muz_7Dec2000) March 2, 2021

steyn knows that he ball to easy batters in PSL so yaa its rewarding but IPL is harder than psl here steyn got destroyed n then he decided to ran away from it

IPl has super quality n PSL players has low pressure of money more techniqal flaws mainly easy compare to ipl

— LEE😎🔥💪 (@itsfreeLee) March 2, 2021

On the other hand, Pakistani fast bowler Hassan Ali has some other remarks about the South African player. Taking to Twitter, Hassan shared a picture with Steyn, teaching him some bowling techniques. “Dale, you are my favorite. That’s it, that’s the tweet,” he wrote.

Dale, you are my favourite. That’s it, that’s the tweet. pic.twitter.com/bUNG8IdjLc

— Hassan Ali 🇵🇰 (@RealHa55an) March 2, 2021