Ravi Shastri expresses priority towards IPL 2020: The Indian head coach has supported the notion of cricket resuming with IPL 2020.
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India head coach Ravi Shastri considers the time period affected by the novel COVID-19 as the “most horrible phase” in the life of a sportsperson.
“The last two months, and a couple of more going forward perhaps, will count as the most horrible phase in the life of a sportsperson in close to seven or eight decades. Something like this is unimaginable,” Shastri was quoted as saying in an interview with Times of India.
Shastri further admitted that players will take time to find their feet upon returning to the ground after such a long delay. It is worth mentioning that England all-rounder Ben Stokes had spoken on similar lines when he revealed his preparation for IPL 2020 amidst coronavirus scare.
नमस्कार मुंबई !
Let’s join hands with @DGPMaharashtra & @MantralayaRoom and show the spirit of #MumbaiWarriors against #coronavirus.
Also, keep #MaharashtraPolice in your prayers and thoughts as they take on #COVID19 चला एक म्हणून जाऊया 🙏 pic.twitter.com/9LGt0HqwoK
— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) May 10, 2020
“No matter how big or accomplished a player is, it’ll take time to get into the groove once again, regain that ball sense, find your feet out there in the middle – no matter who you are. Not just cricket, but in any sport, that’ll be a challenge,” Shastri said.
Ravi Shastri expresses priority towards IPL 2020
While IPL 2020 has been suspended until further notice, many international bilateral series have also faced the wrath of the coronavirus. In a situation where there is no confirmed date for the sport to resume, assumptions and reports have had the better of official announcements.
The conundrum has also seen speculations of IPL 2020 being conducted in September-October or October-November. With the October-November window currently with the ICC T20 World Cup, another report indicates its postponement as well.
Being asked about the cricketing calendar, Shastri didn’t shy away from expressing priority towards the 13th season of the Indian Premier League and bilateral series over the T20 World Cup Cup.
“I wouldn’t put too much emphasis on world events right now. Stay at home, ensure domestic cricket comes back to normal, cricketers at all levels – international, First Class, etc – all get back on the field. That’s the most important bit. Second: Start with bilateral cricket.
“If we [India] had to choose between hosting a World Cup and a bilateral tour, obviously, we’d settle for the bilateral. Instead of 15 teams flying in, we’d settle for one team flying in and playing an entire bilateral series at one or two grounds,” Shastri said.
