As the Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Brijesh Patel has confirmed that the 13th edition of the IPL 2020 will take place later this year, New Zealand pacer Trent Boult has opened up about his chances to feature in the upcoming T20 extravaganza amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
A day after the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the postponement of the T20 World Cup 2020, which was supposed to take place in Australia in October-November, the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) and IPL Governing Council announced to have a full-fledged IPL 13 comprising 60 games this year.
After the postponement of T20 World Cup 2020, the BCCI is targeting a window between September and early November for the IPL 2020 and the board is keen to get government clearance for the event, which will be possibly held in the UAE, given the COVID-19 situation in India.
Well, Boult isn’t sure about his participation in the IPL 2020, though the star Kiwi pacer said he will take a wait and watch policy about his chances to play in the tournament, saying he is eager to return to competitive action but he will decide what is best for him and his 'young family' before taking a call.
The veteran cricketer was traded to Mumbai Indians from Delhi Capitals ahead of IPL 2020 auction and is among the six New Zealanders signed to play in the tournament this year, including Mitchell McClenaghan (MI), Jimmy Neesham and Lockie Ferguson (both Kolkata Knight Riders), Kane Williamson (Sunrisers Hyderabad) and Mitchell Santner (Chennai Super Kings).
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Boult was quoted as saying by 1News: “I've heard lots of whispers that it's happening in this or that window, that it's happening in (New Zealand), things seem to be changing almost every week but it's just one of those things that I will have to let unfold.”
He further explained, “I'll talk to the right people and then make that decision on what's best for me, best for my cricket and obviously what's best for my young family...there's obviously a couple of other New Zealanders involved in that tournament - but it's just going to have to be one of those 'time will tell' kind of things. I want to be out there playing and doing the things that I know how to do.”
Boult signed off by saying, “But it still looks like it's going to be a wee while before crowds are screaming at us and being right behind us but I can't wait as it's been a long time between overs - no-one wants to be stuck inside a tent in the middle of winter training.”
(With India Today Inputs)
