IPL can set the tone before T20 World Cup: VVS Laxman
The 13th edition of the Indian Premier League has been postponed until further notice due to the extension of the lockdown in India. The commencement of the tournament was initially supposed to happen on the 29th of March, but then the date was pushed forward to the 15th of April, and now, with the COVID-19 pandemic spreading throughout the country dangerously, the future of this edition of the tournament seems to be quite grim.
However, former Indian Cricketer VVS Laxman believes that the IPL can be used as a medium to kick off the following Cricket calendar and can set the tone for the T20 World Cup and subsequently, the rest of the season.
Laxman said the following on a show called Cricket Connection on Star Sports:
“I think some of the Cricket boards will encourage the fact that the IPL is a big tournament, and everyone acknowledges that. And just before the World Cup it will set the tone for a hectic Cricket season.”
“But, I just hope that everything is normal, and no one is in danger. And once that happens, I am sure that the IPL should kick off the Cricket calendar.” He added.
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Earlier, former England Captain Micheal Vaughan took to Twitter to express his views on the window being open to have both the IPL and the T20 World Cup.
My thoughts on the IPL .. as it’s such an important tournament for the games economy globally not just in India .. I would play a 5 week tournament Sept/Oct including all players as a warm up for the T20 WC .. that’s if we are clear to travel by then ..
Thoughts ? #Stayhome
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) April 3, 2020
Australian Cricketers Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell have also hoped that the IPL takes place at some stage during the year. Maxwell believes that the IPL can even be conducted behind closed doors, which he said in an interview with ABC Grandstand.
Maxwell went on to say that the IPL can be held behind closed doors, but it is going to be hard to play for the national team in a World Cup.
The T20 World Cup is scheduled to be held Down Under this October, ending in November, but now it depends on how the coronavirus is contained by the host country, Australia and the other nations.