Since starting in China late last year, the COVID-19 pandemic has infected over 3,459,200 people and killed more than 243,400 across the world, bringing several countries to a virtual standstill.
India too has been dented by the outbreak as the country reported in excess of 39,000 cases and about 1300 deaths as of May 3.
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In order to flatten the curve, the Indian government recently extended the nationwide lockdown for the third time until at least May 17.
Amid the crisis, cricket has also come to a grinding halt. The 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been suspended "until further notice".
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As the number of Coronavirus cases continues to rise in the country, the fate of the cash-rich tournament hangs by a thin thread.
However, former India opener Gautam Gambhir reckons that the IPL has the power to lift up the mood of the nation and wash away the negativity that has been spread due to COVID-19.
"As a politician, if you ask me then I would say it is very important for us to save the lives of the people. But if you want to change the mood of the country, not all IPLs are to win or lose, some are to change the mood of the country. So there could not be anything better than IPL for that," Gambhir told Sports Tak.
The IPL 2020 was slated to start on March 29 but the deadly virus initially forced the BCCI to reschedule it until mid-April. However, after the announcement of the second lockdown extension, the board had to postpone it indefinitely.
"I know, many people will say that IPL is more important for you, but personally, if IPL happens this year, as an Indian I feel, then any franchise should not look it from the way of winning or losing, they should look it in a way to change the spirit of the nation," Gambhir said.
"When the world has been brought to a standstill, then there seems to be negativity around, but when people will watch IPL, the atmosphere would change. So this IPL would be the most special of all the IPLs in the past 12 years. Even if it happens closed doors or without overseas players, or whoever wins, it does not matter, eventually, the nation will win," the cricketer-turned-politician added.
