South Africa and Delhi Capitals pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada was delighted and grateful to be able to back on the cricket field following the Coronavirus-forced hiatus and is raring to go in the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 starting on Saturday (September 19) in the UAE.
Given the COVID-19 crisis across the world, cricket matches have been playing at the empty stadiums and the Proteas pacer said he will miss the Indians fans during the IPL 2020, but hopes to provide cricket fans across the globe some joy with their game in the UAE amid the pandemic.
These days players and other staff have to live inside the bio-bubble and Rabada said it is the “need of the hour” since it provides them a great opportunity to return to the field.
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Speaking to ANI on Friday (September 18), Rabada said: “It feels great to be out in the open, on a cricket field, and to be able to play and run and bowl again, and it's good to be back with my teammates here at Delhi Capitals, and actually have a longer time than usual and bond before the tournament. The bio bubble has its restrictions, but we're here to play cricket, and I'm grateful for that opportunity. I am grateful to be able to do what I enjoy so much, which is playing cricket.”
On the IPL 13 without fans, the speedster said: “It will be different no doubt, but we are in different times, aren't we? The IPL is happening, and we are grateful to be playing again. There's nothing like playing in front of the fans, especially in India, where they always turn out in such huge numbers, but I hope we can provide them with some joy as they watch the games on TV this year.”
Cricket has been returning after almost 6-7 months’ break across the world due to the Coronavirus outbreak and Rabada has insisted that he was not really in hurry to return to action since he has been played constantly in the last five-six years across formats and the pandemic has given him the chance to refresh himself in every way.
He further added, “I was in no rush to return to cricket! The last 5-6 years I've played across formats constantly, and it's hard on the body. The lockdown let me go back to things I didn't have time for with the busy cricket calendar, and I would say that my body and mind needed that break to feel refreshed in every way.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a number of changes to the game and the saliva ban among it and Rabada stressed the players need to accept the change but said there is a need for alternates to saliva for shining the ball.
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The Proteas star further pointed out, “Yeah, look, the saliva ban is something we will need to accept, and it is understandable why it's there. But as bowlers, we need to find alternates to saliva for shining the ball. Things may be different in different formats, so we'll have to see what works best.”
He was also delighted to work again with the Delhi Capitals captain Shreyas Iyer as he believes this DC outfit has the potential to lift their maiden IPL trophy.
Rabada signed off by saying, “It was a fantastic experience (working with Iyer). We've known each other since U19 days, and he's comfortable in his role as the captain of the Delhi Capitals. It's a season I am really looking forward to. We have got some new names in, and it adds a lot of experience to the youth. I feel it brings in a lot more balance to the side.”
(With ANI Inputs)
