Ajinkya Rahane Wants His Family To Accompany Him For 2020 IPL In The UAE But Concerned About Their Safety Too

India’s Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane would be one of the many Indian players partaking in the 13th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). After plenty of struggles and soul-searching, BCCI managed to confirm the dates and venue for the extravaganza. The UAE will play as hosts; however, due to the COVID-19 threat, there would be certain restrictions in place. And Ajinkya Rahane opened up on one of the potential ones.

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The COVID-19 threat forced the BCCI to postpone the tournament twice before they found a window in September from November to conduct as the T20 World Cup and Asia Cup stood deferred. While the BCCI managed to fix UAE as the venue, safety protocols would have to be followed. Considering the health crisis, players might not be allowed to bring their families along with them. Three-time champions Chennai Super Kings have already imposed the rule on their players.

Ajinkya Rahane stated that if not for the pandemic situation, he would want his entire family with them. However, Rahane stressed that the safety of his wife and children is essential than anything else and so is their teammates’. Hence, he has to give it a second thought before taking them along with him.

“As an individual, you take Covid-19 situation aside, you would want your family to travel with you, but because of this situation, safety is important, safety of your wife, family and daughter, obviously safety of your teammates is really important. Right now, I feel first health and then cricket is really important. We had a good 4-5 months with our family (during the lockdown),” Rahane stated as quoted by India Today.

Rahane further said that whatever their desires are, it comes down to BCCI’s and the franchisees’ decisions. Since the pandemic still hovers around, the safety and security of the family is the utmost priority. The 32-year old admitted whenever on any tour, anybody wants their families with them.

“As I said, safety of our family, safety of our players and safety of each and every individual is important. The decision is completely up to the franchises and the BCCI. But as I said, there is still corona around, you got to think about each and every individual, think about your family especially about my wife and daughter. Safety is really important. I don’t know what decisions they are going to take but if you take this Covid-19 situation aside, you want your family to be there with you to support you whenever you are on the tour,” the 32-year old conceded.

I took my time and I thought it’s an opportunity for me to learn something new: Ajinkya Rahane

The right-handed batsman feels excited to take the field with Delhi Capitals after playing for Rajasthan Royals for a lot of time. He revealed that when playing for Hampshire last year, he received an offer to play for Delhi Capitals and saw it as an opportunity to take his game forward.

“I am really excited to play for Delhi Capitals. I got an opportunity. Last year when I was playing for Hamphsire, Delhi Capitals asked me if I was interested in playing for them. I took my time and I thought it’s an opportunity for me to learn something new. To take my game forward, to take my T20 game forward,” he added further.

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