Team India anticipated nationwide lockdown once RSA series was cancelled: Ravi Shastri

ongoing coronavirus outbreak has shut down all cricketing events in world. Even ODI series between India and South Africa scheduled to be played earlier this month got postponed after a rain-affected opening match itself. Moreover, much-anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL 2020) season has been delayed by Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to fight contagious coronavirus pandemic.

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Ravi Shastri on impact of lockdown on Team India players

Team India head coach Ravi Shastri believes ongoing break from game is a “welcome rest” for Indian players. While speaking with former English cricketers Michael Arton, Nasser Hussain and Rob Key in an England-based news outlet’s podcast, Ravi Shastri said that players needed this break after a hectic 40-day tour of New Zealand. He added that entire team manment had a fair idea of an imminent lockdown after second India vs South Africa ODI was cancelled.

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In podcast, Ravi Shastri maintained importance of having a lockdown in such a situation and said players have a “lot of responsibility” in spreading awareness to ir fans. He cited example of Team India captain Virat Kohli and a few or cricketers who took to social media for same.

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Status of IPL 2020: IPL postponed

IPL 2020 was originally intended to launch on March 29 with a match between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings. Several Indian and overseas cricketers were scheduled to join ir respective franchises for two-month event. While BCCI has delayed launch of IPL 2020 by just over two weeks, worldwide impact of coronavirus is likely to cause furr delays to tournament.

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