Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) pacer Sandeep Sharma is at pain over the suspension of the 13th edition of the IPL because of the COVID-19 pandemic, as he was looking forward to the opportunity to do well for SRH and bid for an India comeback.
The IPL 2020 was postponed by the BCCI until at least April 15 in hope that the situation will improve with time and the on-field play will be safe to resume. Given the worsening circumstances, however, it is highly unlikely that the tournament will be happening at all in the near future.
Read Also: Rajeev Shukla rules out chances of commencement of IPL 13 by April 15
"The month-long break will not only affect the game of a bowler, but batsmen will also struggle to get back their touch. Now the challenge after the lockdown would be to get into shape and get ample match practice," Sandeep told The Indian Express from his home in Patiala, Punjab.
In the meantime, the 26-year-old is ensuring he is physically and mentally ready and not compromising with his health in isolation.
"I have been keeping myself busy in bodyweight training like pushups, crunches, squats, and stair climbing," he said. "In the absence of proper gym facilities, I am also working on the swish ball for core exercises."
"I have been trying to keep myself fit by running in my backyard garden and playing tennis cricket with my brothers."
"We have received no communication from the BCCI or the franchise about when IPL will take place. The last communication was about the postponement of the IPL till April 14."
Sandeep wouldn't mind playing in empty stadiums if the situation comes down to that. "For every professional cricketer, the tournament and the matches are important. That’s what they want. It does not matter if it’s being played in a stadium full of spectators or at an empty venue," he said.
"A player’s focus would always be on winning the game even if it’s a club-level match. But at the same time, playing before thousands of cricket fans always makes you feel good."
For someone like him, who has fallen down significantly in the pecking order since being injured following his T20I debut in Zimbabwe in 2015, the IPL becomes doubly important to force his way back to the top.
"I have become mentally strong and matured (with time). Playing with the world’s best players and bowling in different situations has helped me evolve as a mature cricketer," Sandeep said.
"In Kings XI Punjab I used to get the new ball to bowl, but with Bhuvneshwar Kumar being the pace spearhead in SRH, I am called to bowl at any over. In the process, I have gained that confidence and experience of bowling any over from 1-20 in T20 cricket."
"My long term goal is to play for India again. I got that chance in 2015 but owing to the shoulder injury, I could not retain my place. Now with a better show in the IPL and other domestic games, I want to aim for a place in the Indian cricket team," he added.
(Inputs from The Indian Express)
