Players keen to see IPL being held

NEW DELHI: Players are putting pressure on cricket authorities to plan a shortened Indian Premier League later in the year to “kick-start” the sports economy after the coronavirus lockdown.

The world’s richest cricket tournament has been postponed until April 15, which coincides with the end of India’s 21-day nationwide shutdown to halt the spread of the pandemic.

But with the number of cases and deaths rising and India isolated from international travel, few believe any sport will be possible in the sub-continent for at least three months.

“Let’s say July-August is the earliest,” said Kevin Pietersen, the former England batsman. “I do truly believe the IPL should happen. I think every single player around the world is desperate to play the IPL,” he said on Saturday. Pietersen suggested the eight-team tournament be shortened from its normal eight-week duration and played behind closed doors.