Australia Test bowler Pat Cummins is hopeful the Indian Premier League season will go ahead, even if it means playing without fans due to the pandemic.
The world’s No.1 Test bowler was signed by Kolkata Knight Riders for $3.17 million in last December’s draft – the highest fee ever commanded by an overseas player.
However, with the world in lockdown due to the coronavirus outbreak, the IPL season, which was due to start on March 29, was delayed until April 14.
That date will almost certainly will be moved again with Indian cricket’s ruling body, the BCCI, due to have discussions this weekend about potentially playing without crowds.
“I am super hopeful it will go on,” Cummins told the BBC’s Stumped podcast.
“Every time I speak to team management they are really confident and hopeful it’s going to happen at some stage.
“But there are so many unknowns. I would be surprised if something happens soon but whatever it takes to get cricket back up…and we can hopefully play in these big events safely.
“Obviously the first priority is people’s safety and all regulations being met. But secondly you want to get back to normality as close as possible. If it means no crowds for a little while than so be it.”
Cummins, who played in the recent ODI against New Zealand where fans were locked off the SCG, said while the situation was not ideal, any chance of getting back to normality was preferential to no cricket.
“The ODI at the SCG was a novelty and super weird,” he said.
“It didn’t feel like an international match it was more like a Sheffield Shield match.
“When friends and family ask me about what it is about playing in India that makes it so special I always say it’s the crowd.
“They scream literally for every ball whether it’s a dot ball, a six, a wicket. It’s the same noise and that atmosphere is what we love.
“It will be missed in the short term if it can’t happen, but I’ve no doubt it will be great event, even if it has to be played without any crowds.”
Cummins is currently in lockdown at his property south of Sydney but said there has been daily dialogue between the Australian players and coach Justin Langer.
He admits it’s been difficult for everyone in the squad keeping in shape at home.
“It’s weird because you spend every day with these boys and we are only contacting each other via Whatsapp,” Cummins said.
“Davey Warner’s been very vocal about his gym sessions, his house looks like something from a Rocky movie. Justin Langer has been sending us workout videos.
“Everyone has been enjoying time separately but staying in touch. It’ll be good to be back touring and annoying each other personally instead of on the phone.”
Nick
Roar Guru
How does Cummins possibly think he's gonna get to India anyway? Swim? He better get cracking.
Nick
Roar Guru
Yeah, nah. This IPL won't happen in May. India is under lockdown until at least the end of April. Domestic travel is down to nothing. Any reopening in India will be gradual. And - what from perspective is Pat Cummins making these comments? Does he just want to see the IPL up and running for the sake of cricket, or does he think he'll be playing in it? If it's the latter, then I take back my former support for him to be the next test captain.
dungerBob
Roar Rookie
I don't understand how things can possibly work in India. They splash around money on things like the IPL and a space program while 42% of their pop lives in poverty. It seems completely lopsided to me but I hardly think it's Pat Cummins fault.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
“Just a kid who wants to get back to work”? A kid earning AUD3.4M for 5 weeks work….really? Is he really just a wide-eyed innocent kid looking to make some petrol money over summer break? Take the money, take on board the responsibility for me, dB. For context, while Pat clamours “to get back to work” to earn his $3.4M in 5 weeks in India, the Indian Govt’s Coronavirus “bailout” for farmers is 5000 Rupees (~$100) for 12 months (about $2/week). As I said, maybe if were to donate his fee…..well, there’s 34,000 families for whom he could double the Govt’s support package…
dungerBob
Roar Rookie
Gee whiz Jeff, that's a bit harsh isn't it? He's just a kid who wants to get back to work and resume life as he knew it. It might not be possible but I don't think it's a hangable offence to want it to happen.
Blake Standfield
Roar Guru
:thumbdown:
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Height of self-interest. Then again, if he's willing to donate 100% of his fee towards the emerging medical - and subsequent financial and consequent social - emergency, that may go some way to providing justification for his involvement, even though that amount of money will be a drop in a 44 gallon drum given what will be needed. "No crowds for a bit" is a bit weird but so be it if it gets back to some normalcy, says Pat. Normalcy. Hundreds of thousands will die from the virus or - literally - starvation in their urban slums or rural villages. But so long as playing cricket for extravagant sums of money in your protected bubble constitutes 'normalcy', then go for it and live with it when the day comes when have developed the maturity to understand the selfishness of your thought process at the time.
Mark Scarfe
Roar Guru
Pat has done well when so many other talent would have given up after so many injuries. Maybe not a future captain, but a leader in the team for sure.
peter ostle
Guest
Modi will probably extend the lockdown that was imposed on the 25th March. India shut air, road and rail and told people to stay at home. Due to the basic health facilities in most areas of India it is unknown how many have been infected, or where 'hotspots' are, the figures at the moment are 8,000 infected and 288 dead. The IPL may have some wealth, but overall the Indian economy is $4.5 trillion [Aus $] and 1.3 billion people. Given the conditions most live in, if COVID-19 spreads in India the human cost could be tragic in size. Due to the above I do not think the IPL will begin in the coming few months. As some have noted it may be moved to the autumn, it could even be moved to the Gulf states where it would have a better chance of being televised but with few people in attendance.
dungerBob
Roar Rookie
Good point.
Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
Just like every other major sport, they'll attempt it, maybe even play a game and when 300,000 Indians are crowded in the street to get their merchandise signed as the players get off the team bus, the hue and cry will shut the whole thing down, with international cricketers then sent home for 2 weeks mandatory isolation. Who can blame Cummins for looking at that crore and saying please, please, please? The footage of the fanaticism of Indian fans will stop it purely for the negative publicity for the BCCI, the only thing that could stand between them and profit.
Gee
Roar Rookie
Go to India in a time of virus outbreak. Great idea Pat.
Paul
Roar Guru
Given the likelihood of other scheduled international games being cancelled or moved, the BCCI almost has free reign to host the IPL when ever they like before September I'd have thought. I can't see the English summer starting any time soon, so moving the IPL back a few weeks and maybe starting it in May should be doable.