Ricky Ponting: IPL Cricket Can Bring Joy Amidst Covid-19

Apr 27, 2021 at 11:25 AM

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Ricky Ponting: IPL Cricket Can Bring Joy Amidst Covid-19

Ricky Ponting, Delhi Capitals head coach has admitted that the situation outside the IPL bubble is quite “grim” and has also urged his players to not shy away from having conversations on the same to remain calm.

As India continues to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic, Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting admitted that the situation outside the IPL bubble is quite “grim” and made an appeal to the players to “keep talking” about it in order to remain calm amid the COVID-19 crisis.

Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting: It’s Difficult And Hard For Players To Be Away From Families

Large parts of India, including the cities where the IPL matches have been scheduled, are in the grip of the raging pandemic, and despite concerns in several quarters, the BCCI is confident that the tournament is safe as it is being held in bio-secure set-ups without crowds.

“This IPL, probably more than any other, has become more about what’s happening outside than what’s happening here. We right now are probably the safest people in the country being in the bubbles that we are in,” Ricky Ponting said in a video posted on Delhi Capitals’ Twitter.

“Continually I’m asking the boys at breakfast every day how’s everything going on the outside, how’s family, (is) family safe, (is) family happy. That’s a really important thing,” Ricky Ponting further said.

“It is really important, we are thinking about the extended family, not just us, but we’ve got to be talking about what’s happening outside because it is quite grim,” Ricky Ponting added.

The former Australian skipper feels the ongoing IPL can “bring a lot of joy” to the citizens of India.

“Even with the country being in a situation that it is, I think cricket can still bring a lot of joy to people,” said Ponting. “So it is important for us to be doing what we can as cricketers and as coaches and as a franchise to putting on the best show as possible to give the people something that they’d like to see,” Ricky Ponting added.

Delhi Capitals
Delhi Capitals (Image Credit: IPL)

Ricky Ponting admitted that it’s “hard and difficult” for the players to be away from their families while living in the same city.

“It is hard for the players to be away from their families. I can’t imagine… Even if I put myself in this situation, guys that live in Chennai are actually home now, but can’t see their families,” said Ricky Ponting.

“It must be incredibly difficult. So the more we can share these experiences, the better off we are. The people that aren’t from India, the more that we can be talking to the locals about what they are going through the better off we are all going to be,” he further said.

“We will just keep our fingers crossed. And hope people remain safe. That’s a big thing for me: the players are taking the best care of their families where they can from the outside,” Ricky Ponting added.

He also feels that the IPL can “bring a lot of joy” to people in India, where a massive number of positive cases are being reported daily. His franchise Delhi Capitals managed to chase eight runs in the Super Over to win the match against SRH after scores were tied after stipulated 40 overs.

Ravichandran Ashwin Would Take A Break From IPL 2021

Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has announced that he would be taking a break from the ongoing IPL season as he wants to extend support to his family who is currently battling Covid-19. Ravichandran Ashwin played the match against SunRisers Hyderabad in the IPL on Sunday and after the game, he took to Twitter to announce that he would be taking a break from the ongoing IPL.

Delhi Capitals player Ravichandran Ashwin. (Photo | IPL)
Delhi Capitals player Ravichandran Ashwin. (Photo | IPL)

“I would be taking a break from this year’s IPL from tomorrow. My family and extended family are putting up a fight against #COVID19 and I want to support them during these tough times. I expect to return to play if things go in the right direction. Thank you @DelhiCapitals,” tweeted Ashwin.

Ravichandran Ashwin played 5 matches taking a solitary scalp and scored 7 runs. The Covid-19 pandemic has gripped India and the country has been reporting more than 3,00,000 new cases every day. This is the most number of cases being reported since the pandemic broke out in 2020.

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