“Had to go to IPL directly from PSL, but everything is like just gone” – Steyn tells Pietersen

Cricket and all other sports have come to a grinding halt because of the Coronavirus pandemic.

With the rapidly increasing novel Coronavirus cases, the world has come to a virtual standstill. People have been told to practice social distancing as the pandemic has claimed more than 27,000 lives and infected over 597,000 globally as of March 28.

Since most countries have gone into lockdown, closed borders and issued travel restrictions to limit the spread of virus, cricket has also come to a grinding halt.

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Amid the crisis, Former England skipper Kevin Pietersen on Friday (March 27) interviewed Proteas pacer Dale Steyn via Instagram Live. They discussed all things related to cricket, life and how it feels like dealing with the complete lockdown.

Steyn recalled how he was gearing up for his team Islamabad United's match the next day when a meeting was called suddenly and it was decided that he should leave Pakistan Super League (PSL) midway and go back home due to COVID-19 crisis.

"I was in South Africa even before the match started, it was very quick."

Steyn, who would have plied his trade in the Indian Premier League for Royal Challengers Bangalore this year, said all the series and tournaments have gone for a toss and there is no certainty over anything.

"Was playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) this year, so Ab de Villiers, Virat Kohli and Aaron Finch. Had to go to IPL directly from PSL, after that had to go to Sri Lanka and then play against West Indies but everything is like just gone."

Akin to India and many other countries, South Africa has started a nationwide 21-day lockdown from March 27 and its 57 million people have been confined to their houses.

"It is a test for us, the time when people have to take care for each other but they are at the beaches, I mean what are they doing, there must be a reason why that is happening," Steyn said. "I can do my own laundry, I will clean my room as well during the period."

When Kevin Pietersen asked Steyn to pick one South African cricketer who will be hating this lockdown the most, the latter named legendary all-rounder Jacques Kallis.

"He became a father recently, he will be changing the nappies and would not even be able to come out of his house," Steyn told Pietersen jokingly.

In the end, both the cricketers urged people to follow the government instructions to avoid things going out of hand.

(Inputs from India Today)