Have doubts about T20 WC, Oct-Nov window could belong to IPL, says Gaekwad

The former India coach said cricketers will have to gather all their mental strength to deal with the uncertainty that the pandemic has caused.

New Delhi: Anshuman Gaekwad, BCCI apex council member, on Wednesday said that the currently suspended Indian Premier League could take this year’s T20 World Cup’s space as it is very unlikely that WC will take place as scheduled due to COVID-19 pandemic.

The former India coach said cricketers will have to gather all their mental strength to deal with the uncertainty that the pandemic has caused.

"I have my doubts that T20 WC will be held this year. About IPL, we cannot think of just now. It will depend on Indian conditions and the window is only during this T20 WC which is October-November," Gaekwad told a news agency.

"If the World Cup gets cancelled or postponed, then only IPL can happen but then also it depends on what the conditions are in India," he said.

Gaekwad feels that it will be completely new life once the virus is tamed and players have to be mentally strong to adapt.

The virus has infected more than 50 lakh people across the world and over 3.25 lakhs have died. In India the case tally has crossed one lakh and as many as 3,303 people have died from the disease.

"Cricket is not going to be the same, the approach would be different. There will be no crowd in the stadiums. Cricketers are not used to play in empty stadiums.

"It will be one very difficult aspect of playing new type of cricket, "Gaekwad said.

He also said that cricket might resume after at least four months.

"It may take another two months or four months or more to resume cricket. It is not theory that you can read and write. You have to perform so nothing is going to be easy," he said.

"If you are not mentally strong, it will not be easy," added the former player who has played 40 Tests and 15 ODIs for India.