Prioritize IPL Not T20 World Cup After Cricket Resumes: Ravi Shastri

The Indian cricket team has not lost much in terms of international cricket as lockdown was implemented at a time when their season came to an end. But domestic cricket like the IPL has taken a back-step in the wake of Covid-19 and its fate still hangs in the balance. Team India head coach Ravi Shastri feels the IPL 2020 should be given a priority over the 2020 T20 World Cup as cricket season resumes.

The parent body of the IPL have adopted the wait and watch policy for the tournament. The board has kept the July window open for a closed door tournament and there are also talks of hosting it in October with 2020 T20 World Cup being pushed to next year. However, all this is at a speculative stage and a clarity can be obtained only when the season resumes.

We could give IPL, bi-lateral series a priority over T20 World Cup: Ravi Shastri

With safety and health in focus, Ravi Shastri feels IPL could be play in a few cities but it will take a lot to host a marquee tournament. He also said bilateral series could be easily played but the logistics and travel along with all the other arrangements would be difficult in a larger event like the T20 World Cup.

“When cricket resumes, we could give the IPL a priority,” Shastri told The Times of India.

“The difference between an international tournament and the IPL is that the IPL can be played between one or two cities and the logistics will be easier to manage.

“The same thing with bilaterals – it’ll be easier for us to tour one country and play there at specific grounds than 15-16 teams flying in during these times. The ICC needs to look at this objectively.”

The IPL 2020 was originally slated to get underway from March 29.