Everyone still keen for IPL to go ahead: Pat Cummins
Australian star fast bowler Pat Cummins said players are in touch with the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises even as uncertainty looms over the global cash-rich league due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Kolkata Knight Riders pacer claimed he doesn't see the IPL getting underway anytime soon but said everyone is keen for the tourney to go ahead. Here's more.
IPL faces serious scare of suspension
The fate of IPL 2020 has become a cliffhanger, owing to the coronavirus outbreak. Earlier, the BCCI deferred the impending season from March 29 to April 15 after the Indian government imposed restrictions on foreign visas. With the alarming state, a nationwide lockdown of 21 days has been imposed in the nation. However, looking at the current situation, the IPL could get called-off.
We're in contact with our teams every few days.: Cummins
Cummins stated everyone is keen for the tournament to start. "They obviously haven't cancelled it (IPL) or anything like that yet. It's still a bit of a holding pattern," Cummins told AFP. "We're in contact with our teams every few days. Obviously, everyone's still really keen for it to all go ahead but you know the priority is to minimise risk of (coronavirus) spreading."
The current situation regarding IPL
India's lockdown is set to be lifted on April 14. However, IPL is unlikely to start any time soon with visa restrictions on foreigners. Meanwhile, Australia imposed new travel restrictions and there's still two months left for it to be lifted. There have been talks of the IPL being pushed to October-November, however, a lot depends on postponement of the ICC T20 World Cup.
I don't expect anything too soon to happen: Cummins
"I don't expect anything too soon to happen," Cummins said, hinting at a possible delay. "I mean obviously the preference would be to be over there playing but... I guess the silver lining is that we do get a bit of a break."
Cummins became most expensive overseas player in IPL history
Earlier, Cummins was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs. 15.50 crore in the IPL 2020 auction held in December. The star pacer became the second-most expensive player ever in the IPL after Yuvraj Singh.
