Like the other countries of the world, India is also fighting to beat the novel COVID-19 or coronavirus, which has already damaged hugely. Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir feels that the IPL is very important to change the mood of the nation.
IPL 2020 was initially scheduled to begin on 29th March 2020 and run till 24th May 2020. However, the coronavirus pandemic has forced to postpone the tournament for the indefinite period. Though the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is still hopeful to organise the IPL 2020 later this year, the tournament is still doubtful due to the strong presence of the coronavirus in India and globally.
The pandemic has almost stopped the daily busy life of the world. While many people have been affected due to this virus, including unstoppable death reports, healthy people are also frustrated in this crisis. Gautam Gambhir feels that the IPL can play an important role to change the present unhappy mood of the country.
Gambhir told Sports Tak, “As a politician, if you ask me then I would say it is very important for us to save the lives of the people. But if you want to change the mood of the country, not all IPLs are to win or lose, some are to change the mood of the country. So there could not be anything better than IPL for that.”
The IPL franchises should look at the IPL in a way to change the spirit of the nation: Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir further elaborated to clarify this stance. According to him, people are now facing negativities every day, and the IPL can help to change this atmosphere. Gambhir believes that the IPL franchise should look at this tournament to change the spirit of the nation.
Gambhir added, “I know, many people will say that IPL is more important for you, but personally, if IPL happens this year, as an Indian I feel, then any franchise should not look it from the way of winning or losing, they should look it in a way to change the spirit of the nation.
“When the world has been brought to a standstill, then there seems to be negativity around, but when people will watch IPL, the atmosphere would change.”
Gambhir feels that the IPL 13 will be the most special even if it can run without the spectators, overseas players etc. due to the safety reasons.
He continued, “So this IPL would be the most special of all the IPLs in the past 12 years. Even if it happens closed doors or without overseas players, or whoever wins, it does not matter, eventually, the nation will win.”
The IPL started in 2008. Since then, the IPL was correctly organised in the same fixed window every year till 2019. The IPL 2020 was also scheduled to be held in the regular window, but coronavirus has forced to change the plan.