In the present lockdown period amid coronavirus pandemic, while no action is taking place in the sports world, the 35-year-old senior Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Parthiv Patel is enjoying his training at home. However, he has no clue about the fate of IPL 2020.
IPL 2020 was initially scheduled to run from 29th March to 24th May 2020. But when the teams were focusing on beginning their practice session just ahead of starting the tournament, coronavirus dominated the world and forced to postpone the tournament for an indefinite period.
In the IPL, Parthiv Patel currently plays for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). As the coronavirus has postponed the beginning of the IPL 2020 as well as team’s practice sessions, Parthiv is training at home regularly to keep himself fit. RCB coaches are conducting training programs daily, which Parthiv and his teammates are usually following.
Parthiv told Mail Today, “Yes, I am following a day-to-day programme from the RCB. I am getting all the training stuff from the coaches, I am in regular touch with Basu, so I’m trying to keep myself fit. I have a gym at home, so I try to touch all bases.”
Parthiv doesn’t wish to talk about the future of IPL tournament as he has no clue about this. However, he and the RCB teammates are hopeful about the better future and focusing on staying fit to remain available when the game restarts after decreasing the power of this pandemic.
Parthiv added, “The future of IPL is something I can’t comment on because I am not in knowledge of when things will get back to normal. You can’t plan for anything tomorrow, let alone talk about planning for say July or August. So that’s something I don’t think about personally. Right now, there are bigger things at stake than sport. We in the (RCB) group are talking about it (IPL), and we are staying positive about the future. It’s important we stay fit for the day we can resume cricket on field.”
In the IPL career, Parthiv has served for six different teams. After playing 139 IPL matches, the left-handed batsman has scored 2848 runs (average 22.60), including 13 half-centuries.
I am doing a coaching course: Parthiv Patel
While he is currently off from the cricket field just like the other cricketers, Parthiv is utilising this leisure period to learn some new things that can help him after retiring from the game. He is doing an uncertified coaching course, media and broadcasting course. Parthiv has also shown keen interest in commentary, which he has already experienced for sometimes, and he is now brushing this skill.
Parthiv said, “As a player you obviously know about the norms of cricket but I want to learn a few things, the technical aspect of the sport and so I am doing a coaching course. It is not a certificate course but it is for my experience. Then, I am doing a media and broadcasting course. I see my future in this — for the day whenever I retire. I have had a few commentary stints in the past and just trying to brush up my skills during this time. I am trying to make the best use of this time, which I otherwise wouldn’t get year-long due to cricket.”
Staying at home in the present lockdown period, Parthiv is spending more time with his daughter, which he feels “blessing in disguise”. He is also exploring his cooking hobby.