With most countries going into lockdown, closing borders and issuing travel restrictions to contain the spread of Coronavirus pandemic, cricket has come to a grinding halt.

It has been over 40 days since any form of international cricket was last played and now the players have also started missing the game.

On Saturday (May 2), India opener Rohit Sharma admitted that he is badly missing hitting the ball and can't wait to be on the field again once the COVID-19 lockdown ends.

See Also: Rohit Sharma reacts to Gautam Gambhir’s ‘best white-ball cricketer’ compliment

In normal circumstances, Rohit would have been captaining Mumbai Indians in the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), which has now been suspended until further notice.

"I wish I had enough place to play indoor cricket, but unfortunately in Mumbai, the place is very secluded, and you have to stick to your apartment. We are not lucky as you guys where you have your own backyard to play," Rohit said while speaking to former Australian pacer Brett Lee on a channel.

"In Mumbai, it's very expensive to get your own house where you have your own backyard. I live in an apartment and I am lucky to have a little balcony where I can run around and do some activities that my trainer has given me. I am trying to follow whatever little I can. Hopefully, the gyms will open soon, and I can go there," he added.

"But I am missing hitting the ball, that's for sure. As you know, I like to hit big, so the space is not enough. I just can't wait to go out there and start hitting the ball," Rohit, who recently turned 33, continued.

In India, the nationwide lockdown has been in place since March 25 in an unprecedented measure in the fight against COVID-19 epidemic and was scheduled to end on April 14.

But to flatten the curve of growing cases, the government decided to extend the shutdown till May 3 last month. It has now been further extended till May 17 as the Coronavirus cases continues to rise on a daily basis.

(With IANS inputs)