Steve Smith Open To Playing In IPL Only If T20 World Cup Gets Postponed

Australian batting mainstay Steve Smith has opined on his chances of being part of the thirteenth season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The current COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to all the cricketing calendar being plunged into uncertainty. The T20 World Cup in Australia later this year looks highly uncertain due to the “high risk” posed by the virus, as warned by Cricket Australia.

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The fate of the 2020 ICC World T20 hangs in the balance and will be decided on the 10th of June. The likeliness of the mega event getting deferred opens the possibility for the BCCI to organise the IPL in the September-October window. The 2020 IPL also became the victim of the contagious disease with the Indian Board postponing the marquee tournament indefinitely.

Meanwhile, Steve Smith has revealed his stance on the choice between playing in the IPL or the World T20. The 31-year old is ready to make his presence felt in the lucrative competition, labelling it as an incredible competition if the T20 World Cup gets preferred. At the end of it, playing for the national team holds priority for him over the IPL.

“I think when you’re playing for your country at a World Cup, that’s the pinnacle for one-day or T20 cricket, so of course I’d prefer to play in that. But if that doesn’t happen and the IPL’s there, and they postpone it, then so be it. IPL’s also a terrific tournament as a domestic tournament.” the Rajasthan Royals captain said as quoted by Hindustan Times.

Steve Smith refuses to comment on the postponement of the World Cup to 2021:

Cricket Australia are closely in talks with the ICC over deferring the T20 World Cup to next year. Additionally, Cricket Australia also wants hosting rights for the 2021 edition, suggesting India to take the 2022 event. As for Smith, he is comfortable with any decision Cricket Australia makes. Till then, the number one Test batsman feels that it is crucial to maintain fitness and freshen themselves up mentally.

“I personally haven’t really thought about it, I think it’d just be going off the advice of the professionals and the governments and essentially doing what we’re told. If that happens then great, if not then there’s just so much going on in the world right now that cricket kind of seems a little bit irrelevant. So we’ll get back when we’re told to and until then it is sit tight, get fit and strong and freshen up mentally.” Smith added.

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