Coronavirus: ‘Lot of lives on the line, we should organise IPL 2020’, says CSK's Harbhajan Singh
Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) spinner Harbhajan Singh wants BCCI to conduct IPL 2020 when everything is fine as lot of people are dependent on it. He is ready to play behind closed doors too. IPL has been deferred till April 15 due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
FollowBengaluru: The 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2020) has been deferred till April 15. There is still no clarity whether the Twenty20 tournament will be played or not. However, Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) off-spinner Harbhajan Singh feels it should go ahead, even without spectators.
Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, all cricket matches across the world have been suspended. IPL 2020 was scheduled to start on March 29 but postponed due to coronavirus.
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All franchises and players are still hoping for IPL to start later. Even veteran Indian spinner Harbhajan wants it to be played as he feels “lot of lives on the line”.
There could be a possibility of hosting IPL 13 behind closed doors. Harbhajan said he is fine with this idea. “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,” the 39-year-old Harbhajan Singh told Star Sports’ “Cricket Connected”.
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He added, “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 the line so we should organise IPL when everything is fine.”
He said he misses playing IPL. “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 I am sure that every fan is missing this as well. I hope that IPL happens soon, till then I will keep myself fit,” Harbhajan said.
In last year’s IPL final, CSK lost to Mumbai Indians by one run. Harbhajan went wicketless in that thrilling contest in Hyderabad. He bowled four overs for 27 runs.
