The lucrative Indian Premier League has become an integral part the world cricket calendar. With the level of competition and the glitz and glamor surrounding it, the T20 League provides cricketers the ideal platform to showcase their skills and stake claims for the national Cricket team slot.
IPL was scheduled to roll the ball in the T20 World Cup year. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has to postpone the IPL to 15 April due to an outbreak of novel coronovirus, which has caused a global health crisis.
Kovid-19, which was declared an epidemic by the World Health Organization, suspended, postponed or shut down the sports calendar with several major tournaments across the world.
The Indian Sports Ministry on Thursday issued a fresh directive to the sports associations and the BCCI. To suspend all activities by 15. April Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said that the fate of the IPL could be decided after mid-April, adding only uncertainties around IPL 2020. .
With the closure of borders by many countries and the issuance of strict travel advisories, the participation of foreign players has also become increasingly uncertain, even if the BCCI is able to host the IPL or postpone the tournament.
At this juncture, here's a look at what the IPL no-show means for some of the biggest names in world cricket, who were watching the T20 tournament for their revival.
AB de Villiers-:
AB de surprised the cricket fraternity when he retired from international cricket in May 2018. Citing the pressure of workload and international cricket, South Africa hung up their shoes.
Villiers continues playd leagues around the world and is leaving the world in awe due to his ability to score runs.
In what can be seen as drastic change in his stance, de Villiers said he wants to return to international cricket and play the 2019 World Cup. However, the selectors from South Africa decided against choosing him to be fair to the hard working team and players to earn a World Cup berth.
AB de is now keen to return to international cricket in this year's T20 World Cup. Head coach Mark Boucher wants him to be in the showpiece event and does what he has been doing for South Africa for many years.
As recently as on Thursday, AB de said he would take a call on his future after IPL 2020. But the big question is this. Will there be IPL this year?
M S Dhoni:
MS Dhoni was in Chennai 4 weeks before the originally scheduled start date of IPL 2020. After arriving in the city, Dhoni along with some of his teammates trained Suresh Raina, Piyush Chawla and Ambati Rayudu, which he bid to get. Is ready for competitive action.
MS Dhoni has not playing international cricket since the World Cup in July 2019. He also took long rest as speculation about his international comeback was sharp.
However, his early arrival for the former 2020 IPL training camp sent the right signals. At the age of 38, Dhoni is not raising any youngsters and coming back to this Indian team full of firepower will not be easy for even a player of his stature.
Head coach Ravi Shastri and the selectors made it clear that a good IPL can be Dhoni's path to the senior national team. Dhoni and his fans badly need the IPL to be held this year.
0 Comments