Coronavirus outbreak: Mohammad Azharuddin vouches to tweak FTP
What's the story
Former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin believes all the cricket boards should ponder over the international cricket calendar in the wake of coronavirus pandemic. The 57-year-old stated that staging a full-fledged Indian Premier League this season would require reshaping the Future Tours and Programme (FTP). According to him, IPL would be a huge plus for both Indian and foreign players. Here is more.
Quote
FTP could be redrawn for two years, feels Azharuddin
"I am sure they can have a restructured FTP for two years because of so much of uncertainty in prevailing circumstances. I mean you can always prepare for good times but you can't prepare for bad times," Azharuddin told PTI.
IPL 2020
BCCI may postpone the tournament indefinitely
The impending IPL edition was earlier postponed by the BCCI from March 29 to April 15 after the government imposed travel restrictions. However, India's cash-rich league now faces a serious scare of suspension with the nation struggling with rising number of COVID-19 cases under lockdown. As per the sources, the cricket board is planning to postpone the tournament indefinitely.
Views
The itinerary needs to be changed for slotting IPL
Azharuddin feels the whole itinerary needs to be remodelled for slotting the IPL to a later date this year. "The IPL is set to be postponed indefinitely as the country stares at a lockdown," he said. He added, "I think if they have to slot IPL, the whole itinerary needs to be changed. That's one option with whatever gone being gone."
Foreign players
Overseas players wouldn't want to miss the IPL
Players like David Warner and Pat Cummins have already expressed their desire to participate even if the IPL gets deferred. Azharuddin stated that none of the foreign players would want to miss the IPL as it is the greatest cricket extravaganza. "No foreign player will say no to IPL. A lot of our domestic guys, who are not regulars, look forward to the IPL."