Amid the growing Coronavirus risk in India, the four-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champion Mumbai Indians (MI) have started training at the Reliance Stadium at Ghansoli on Thursday (June 11).
The Indian Express has reported that MI players have started training on Thursday at the Reliance Stadium at Ghansoli in the outskirts of Mumbai under strict COVID-19 guidelines.
The MI has now become the first team to officially start the training amid the COVID-10 crisis after the government eased the lockdown norms, allowing players to train in stadiums.
Though, it really surprising that the defending champions have decided to resume training in Maharashtra – India's epicenter for the deadly Coronavirus with over 94000 COVID-19 cases till the date.
However, it was great news for the fans as the cricket activities in India including outdoor training have been suspended since March due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic, as well as, has given the boost to the hopes of IPL 2020 to be held this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The reports also suggested that the IPL’s most successful franchise has only invited the players who are living in Mumbai for the training camp including captain Rohit Sharma, all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya, batsmen Suryakumar Yadav, Aditya Tare and pace bowler Dhawal Kulkarni.
The MI Management has also made it clear that the preparatory camp is not mandatory and the players can decide for themselves whether to attend the camp or not given the COVID-19 situation in Mumbai.
Suryakumar was quoted as saying by the Indian Express, “MI has given the option of training to us. I am eagerly looking forward to getting there. There is nothing like the feeling of holding the bat again. I have hardly stepped out of home in the last two months and have certainly missed playing.”
He further said, “We are told that all guidelines will be followed including social distancing. And that we might practice with the bowling machine and get some time to bat in the middle.”
Noteworthy, BCCI is reportedly keen to host the IPL 2020 and even if it is behind closed doors.
(With Indian Express Inputs)
