Former India cricketer Sachin Tendulkar believes cricket after the COVID-19 pandemic won't be the same. He is expecting players to avoid high-fives, the post wicket celebrations will change, and also the way bowlers used to shine the ball.

“Shining the ball will change I think,” Tendulkar told Reuters in a telephone interview. “Everyone will be conscious of maintaining social distancing, giving high-fives to each other, and hugging after celebrating the fall of a wicket.

“I don’t think those things are going to happen. It may happen instinctively but consciously players would want to make sure that they follow certain norms. During this period personal hygiene has been at the forefront.”

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Coronavirus has affected cricket like any other sport. There were talks about cricket behind closed doors to avoid the spread of the virus with no crowd. 

Sachin says playing in front of no crowd will leave the cricketers disappointing. "Empty stadiums would be so disappointing for players who are competing. There are a lot of times when players respond to spectators. If I play a good shot and the manner in which crowd responds also brings in that energy," Tendulkar told PTI during an exclusive interview talking about the implications of the contagion that has infected millions.

"Similarly, if a bowler bowls a fiery spell and the crowd is responding to it, it builds a kind of pressure on the batsman and he needs to respond to it. Spectators are integral to any sport. Their encouragement, vociferous chants for or against you is a necessity in sport," he said.

Tendulkar, who played for around 24 years, said the players will not use the conventional method to shine the ball. The pandemic's impact in players' minds will last for a long time.

"I think players will be wary for some time when it comes to using saliva (to shine the ball). It will play on their minds. Social distancing measures will be followed until the deadly virus is around.

"High fives and hugging your teammates will be avoided for some time. This is what I would like to believe. They will be conscious, to begin with and may maintain social distancing," Tendulkar said.

Sachin, who turned 47 on Friday, said he wants the resume of sporting events only after complete control over the deadly virus. 

"You would want to play in an environment that is safe and secure. I still believe one has to be careful and be aware of what we have been hit with. The importance of good hygiene, something I have promoted as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador," he said.

He wants the cricket board to prioritize cricketers' safety despite a strong urge to watch cricket again like any other fan.

"I have not given too much thought to it — whether the World Cup should be held here or IPL should be held. I don't know," he said.

"Beating this virus is paramount and after that, a number of things can be simultaneously discussed. But they can only materialize if we overcome this challenge and if we are able to do so, then no harm in having those discussions," he added.

There is a question over the Indian Premier League and rumors say the tournament may get pushed to October, but Tendulkar refused to make any comment.

"I don't know how many days in this window are left and whether an IPL can be conducted during that period. I am sure the government and the BCCI will take into account how safe spectators will be and how safe the players will be," he said.

"After that, a decision will be made, and that's how it should be. But if it's safe, it will be nice to have cricket in whatever manner we can have," he added.

When asked whether the result would still make the same impact on a player's mind after pandemic?

"Once an athlete goes out to compete, that athlete wants to win. Not winning will still bring disappointment and that will continue I feel. That's what makes that event a terrific spectacle," he reasoned.

"If you think that I am playing for fun and losing doesn't hurt me, then the standard of competition will drop.

"Athletes will have to go out to win and that element has to stay alive and I know for sure that it will continue to stay alive. Yes, this is a challenge that brings in perspective but it won't mean that athletes would stop caring less about winning and losing," he said.

Tendulkar doesn't want people to ignore mental health in this tough time. "I think mental fitness is an important element that everyone consciously or unconsciously ignores. That needs to be addressed.

"If you are feeling mentally disturbed, you should have the right people around you to support you, encourage you and pull you out of that rut," he said.

Sachin also spilled the lesson this pandemic has taught him. "Like freedom, we are so used to it. Probably we had taken it for granted. Maybe your domestic help.

"This phase will make us more understanding," he said.

(With Inputs of PTI and REUTERS)