I Think A Shortened IPL 2020 Is Possible: Dav Whatmore

Former Australian cricketer-turned-coach Dav Whatmore has backed the recent reports of having a shortened Indian Premier League (IPL) owing to the crisis of Coronavirus Pandemic.

Whatmore, who recently ended his three-year stint with the Kerela Cricket Association (KSCA), has now returned to his homeland, where the COVID-19 continues to spread at an alarming rate. In India as well, the deadly disease has caused havoc, and the country is under a 21-day lockdown.

Owing to this, the IPL 2020 has been postponed until April 15. However, as the situation continues to worsen in India, the fate of the cash-rich league is hanging by a thread. Due to this, former England skippers Michael Vaughan and Kevin Pietersen along with Sanjay Manjrekar have called for a shortened IPL instead.

While Pietersen added that the league should be held behind closed doors, Manjrekar opined that hosting the lucrative tournament would boost the economy as many people depend on the IPL for their livelihood.

Whatmore too has mirrored the opinions of the experts as mentioned above, while calling for a truncated IPL season.

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Dav Whatmore talks about a truncated IPL 2020 and the availability of Australian players:

The Aussie coach in a recent interview stated that the BCCI could go ahead with the 13th edition of the IPL, once the Coronavirus situation improves.

“Keeping in mind the situation and the need to come out of it, I think a shortened IPL is possible. Once the situation improves, one must give it a try,’’ said Whatmore. 

He also added that Cricket Australia would give a choice to players themselves, whether they would take the risk of playing in the league amid such circumstances.

The veteran informed, “Cricket Australia will give them permission to play. If not, at least make it optional for players to make their own mind and play.”

While there hasn’t been an official update on the fate of the IPL 2020, it seems that once the lockdown in India comes to a halt, then things will become more evident.

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