IPL 2020 Latest News: Kevin Pietersen bats for IPL 2020 kick-starting cricket season

Kevin Pietersen bats for IPL 2020: The former English captain wants the biggest T20 league to lead from the front in these testing times.

The novel COVID-19 pandemic providing no respite has given rise to questions regarding the 13th season of the Indian Premier League. Originally scheduled to commence on March 29, IPL 2020 was delayed in the wake of coronavirus scare.

With no change in the situation around the nation, the BCCI are not in a position to seek permissions from the government regarding commencing the biggest T20 league in the world.

As a result, the confusing situation has further invited multiple reports which range from IPL 2020 expected to get canceled to its starting date delaying to September-October to October-November. With the October-November window coinciding with the ICC T20 World Cup, a report further indicates its postponement.

Kevin Pietersen bats for IPL 2020

Former England captain Kevin Pietersen, who was recently seen conducting Instagram live sessions with India captain Virat Kohli, limited-overs vice-captain Rohit Sharma and spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, has pressed the case of the conducting IPL 2020.

Speaking on Star Sports Cricket Connected, Pietersen iterated on the fact that IPL 2020 can “kick-start” the cricket season and that the same can possible take place at a lesser number of venues and for a lesser duration.

“Let’s say July-August is the earliest, I do truly believe the IPL should happen. I do believe it is the kick-start to the cricket season. I think every single player around the world is desperate to play the IPL.

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“There could be a way in which to get some money into the franchises, into the economy by having a situation where you use maybe three venues which are completely closed to fans and the players can still go out and play the tournament in three weeks or in four weeks,” Pietersen was quoted as saying.

The 39-year old further hinted that the tournament need not “risk” fans by allowing entry in the stadiums and that the same remains for other cricketing tournaments including the sport being played at the highest level.

“I don’t think the fans need to be risked in this situation. I think the fans need to understand they can’t watch a live game at the moment and they might not be able to watch a live game for the foreseeable future. [But] what would you guys give right now, to watch Mumbai Indians v Chennai Super Kings right now,” Pietersen said.