Indian wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav is enjoying making up for the time not spent with the family while he was being regularly away on international duty before the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The deadly outbreak enforced a worldwide lockdown and led to cricket's indefinite suspension.
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But with travelling restrictions beginning to be eased, thankfully we are nearer to the resumption of on-field action than we were about two months back.
For cricketers, the first target, whenever training is allowed, will be to get back to the optimum levels of fitness required at the highest level.
Kuldeep believes it would take at least 15 to 20 days for a player to get back in decent shape.
"I really feel that it will take another 15 to 20 days to get into proper shape when we hit the field for training," he told the Times of India. "We will need to check every aspect (of the game) when we hit the ground. Every part of the body should be in great shape. That’s why it will take at least 20 days to get into the rhythm."
"I also feel that franchises will start a 15- or 20-day camp ahead of the IPL. This will help players prepare perfectly for the IPL."
It must be frustrating for a top-level cricketer to be confined to four walls, but the disappointment quickly down-sizes when Kuldeep sees the world around him struggling for survival.
"When I look around, I say to myself - you are in a safe position. As an athlete, you miss going out, but that's how the situation is, so I am spending time with my family and doing proper exercise to remain fit. Initially, it was like a good break but now we are getting bored. It’s a mixed feeling," he said.
"I'm just working on my basics right now. It is very tough for an athlete to motivate himself or herself at home. They need to go out. I am watching my old bowling videos to motivate myself."
"I am at home, having good food, resting, sleeping on time and spending a lot of time with my family. That's motivating for me. But I am bored now as I can’t go out, train and show my bowling skills," added Kuldeep, who has played 6 Tests, 60 ODIs and 21 T20Is.
The 25-year-old would've been looking forward to turnaround his fortunes in the IPL after inapt performances in the last season. But the league's 13th edition remains indefinitely postponed at this stage.
Kuldeep believes now that the calendar is bound to be rejigged, the BCCI can look to conduct the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament before IPL 2020 to help players prepare for the annual event.
"I personally feel we can also play domestic T20s. We can organise the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy before the IPL and play that tournament," he said.
"That’s a two-week tournament and it will help players get into the groove. Then we can go and play IPL. IPL is a big tournament and it will be a very good platform for all players after the pandemic."
(Inputs from TOI)
