Harbhajan Singh ready to play IPL 2020 without spectators: The veteran spinner is comfortable playing the tournament sans fans.
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The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has had stellar impact on businesses across the world. For the sports industry which predominantly relies on live events, it was bound to undergo consequences of this global crisis.
The 13th season of the Indian Premier League, which was originally scheduled to begin last month, has been delayed till April 15 and is one of the many cricket tournaments which have been affected by coronavirus.
Veteran Chennai Super Kings spinner Harbhajan Singh, who last played competitive cricket in IPL 2019, has admitted that he is missing playing matches for Super Kings the most.
Satnam waheguru.. bas Himmat hosla dena 🙏🙏 @Geeta_Basra and I pledge to distribute ration to 5000 families from today 🙏🙏 May waheguru bless us all pic.twitter.com/s8PDS9yet1
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) April 5, 2020
“I miss matches the most, was hoping that I would get to play 17 matches [including finals] after a year’s gap. I miss our visits to the ground, the hordes of fans waiting to greet us, the bikes that used to ride along our bus and am sure that every fan is missing this as well. I hope that IPL happens soon, till then I will keep myself fit,” Harbhajan was quoted as saying during Star Sports Cricket Connected.
Harbhajan Singh ready to play IPL 2020 without spectators
On being recently asked about the revised starting date of IPL 2020, BCCI President Sourav Ganguly had pointed out “no change in the situation” as a reason behind him not being able to provide a concrete answer.
It is true that nothing confirmed can be said about IPL 2020 at the moment. However, one can also not rule out players playing behind closed doors if the tournament is to be conducted in the near future.
Harbhajan, 39, was ready to play the cash-rich league without spectators especially if there seems to be no other option. Having said that, the off-spinner also laid emphasis on being cautious about other factors concerning the players.
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“Spectators are important, but if the situation arises, I don’t mind playing without them. Yes, as a player I won’t get the vibe, but this will ensure that every fan will get to watch IPL on their TV.
“We will have to be cautious about everything and should prioritise players’ safety by ensuring that the match venues, team hotels, flights are properly sanitized. A lot of lives are on line so we should organise IPL when everything is fine,” Harbhajan said.
