Australia’s limited-overs captain Aaron Finch has made it clear that he wouldn’t miss out on the opportunity to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 if Cricket Australia allows its players to participate in the premier T20 league in India.
Finch was set to represent the Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL 2020 that was originally scheduled to get underway in March 2020, but the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) had to postpone the tournament indefinitely due to the Coronavirus outbreak.
Before being signed up by the RCB at the IPL Auction 2020 for 4.4 Crore, the right-hander has played for the several teams in the lucrative Indian league including Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), now-defunct Pune Warriors India, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Lions, and Kings XI Punjab.
Finch had decided to opt-out of the IPL 2019 to prepare for the World Cup.
Well, it is being reportedly said that the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2020 to be staged in Australia later this year can be postponed this year in a wake of COVID-19 pandemic. On the other hand, the BCCI is keen to host the IPL 13 this year even in abroad if the COVID-19 situation demands, but it would be decided only after the ICC’s decision regarding the showpiece event in Australia.
A postponement of the T20 World Cup 2020 will give BCCI a window to host the IPL 2020 in October-November and if the tournament gets underway, Finch is ready to miss the early half of the Australian domestic season to play in the Indian league.
Read Also: Australian team members asked to start preparing for the upcoming England tour: Report
However, the captain has insisted that Australian players’ IPL 13 participation totally depends on the CA and of the board grants the NOC to them, they will definitely turn up in the lucrative league.
Finch told Sportstar: “That isn’t really up to me. I have a contract in place in the IPL and I have a contract in place with Victoria. If Cricket Australia grants the Australian players a NOC (no-objection certificate), there is every chance that we will all be able to play the IPL. But it is out of my control. At this stage, we are still planning for a World Cup until the official announcement is made.”
On being asked whether the COVID-19 break would have an impact on Test cricket, Finch said: “Test cricket is still the traditional form of cricket, so as long as cricket is being played, there will be Test cricket. A good example of this is the first cricket being played post-lockdown is Test cricket in the UK (England- West Indies Test series). I am really looking forward to watching and seeing how it all unfolds.”
Meanwhile, all the cricket matches will be playing at the empty stadiums for now in a wake of Coronavirus outbreak including Australia-India series later this year and Finch admitted that the absence of the crowd could affect the morale of some players but said Australia might have an advantage of it.
He further explained, “Some players thrive in the atmosphere of a big crowd, so they will have to adjust. Being a professional sportsman, we will need to learn to adapt to all conditions. India has some very passionate supporters who [make you] feel like you are playing against more than the Indian 11 players, so having no crowds will probably benefit our team.”
There are reports that the Boxing Day Test against India could be shifted from Melbourne if the COVID-19 situation doesn’t improve in Victoria, as Australia's second-biggest city has seen a rapid rise in the Coronavirus cases and went into lockdown on Tuesday.
However, Finch is optimistic about the MCG hosting the marquee clash against India later this year. he signed off by saying, “People will make the decision that is best for cricket and that will be having as many spectators at the game as possible. The Boxing Day Test is still six months away, so a lot can happen and change. Being the proud Victorian that I am, it would be a real shame for the Test match to be moved away from Melbourne,”
(With Sportstar Inputs)
