Aussie pacer Pat Cummins says he is happy to know IPL 2020 might take place

Pat Cummins has said he is really excited to hear that IPL 2020 is planned to go ahead. 13th edition of Indian Premier League was originally scheduled to get underway on March 29 with last year's finalists Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings locking horns at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium. However, it has been suspended indefinitely due to global pandemic. Cummins, on or hand, was brought by two-time winners Kolkata Knight Riders for a whopping Rs. 15.5 Crores in IPL 2020 Auctions.

'I am really excited': Pat Cummins

While speaking to Sportstar, star Australian pacer went on to say that he is really excited to hear that IPL is planned to go ahead and y are all obviously waiting for confirmation eir way regarding T20 World Cup (scheduled to be held in October-vember this year) which might provide a window where y can play IPL. He n mentioned that he is hoping for best with regards to what next few weeks bring. 

When asked what he reckons about cricket being played behind closed doors due to coronavirus fear, 2015 World Cup winner played it safely by saying he would t go that far as it will just require players to find or ways to motivate mselves or than just riding off crowd. Furrmore, he added that crowd is rmally just one aspect of players' motivation.

IPL 2020 likely to be held between September and vember

With major footballing leagues like Bundesliga, Serie A, and La Liga resuming, fans are stoked by prospect of IPL 2020 beginning. Recently, BCCI President Sourav Ganguly had written to state associations asking m to be prepared for IPL 2020 even if tournament is to be played behind closed doors.

w it has been learned that BCCI is planning to conduct marquee event later this year. According to a report in Mumbai Mirror, BCCI might st IPL 2020 from September 26 to vember 8. dates can be altered depending on ICC's call on fate of T20 World Cup, which is expected to be postponed to next year in all likelihood. Recently, Cricket Australia chairman Earl Eddings claimed that hosting T20 World Cup with 16 teams this year in Australia would be 'unrealistic', which has almost virtually paved way for IPL to take place. 

report furr states that Bengaluru and Chennai are two venues in consideration for staging tournament where monsoon is t as severe. Mumbai was also one of venues that were in contention due to availability of more stadiums and good connectivity to hotels. However, COVID-19 situation in Mumbai is dire and number of cases is increasing at a rapid pace which is why it is unlikely that IPL 2020 will be played re. Reportedly, BCCI is trying to conduct IPL 2020 in one or two states.

BCCI will leave stone unturned to conduct tournament safely. Sourav Ganguly-led board will be issuing strict guidelines to ensure safety of all players and staff if tournament goes ahead. Hotels will be booked in advance and charter flights will remain on standby. matches will be played behind closed doors.

board has reportedly started informal talks with franchisees over start of tournament in September and is confident of going ahead with plan. If IPL 2020 gets cancelled, BCCI will suffer ermous losses of around ₹4,000 crores, which will be a massive dent to board's finances.

READ: IPL 2020 Likely To Be Held From Sep 26-v 8 After Bleak T20 World Cup Chances: Report

(Im Courtesy: AP)