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| Edited By: Siddharth Vishwanathan |Source: |Updated: Jan 06, 2021, 04:03 PM IST
When the coronavirus pandemic stalled world cricket, there was fear about what the future of the game will be on hold. India, one of the main leaders in world cricket, was the worst hit in the coronavirus pandemic. The IPL was postponed, the ICC World T20 was also delayed and one wondered where would the next cricket action take place. England began cricket behind closed doors with series against West Indies, Pakistan and Australia. But, when the IPL 2020 was finally announced, it rejuvenated cricket interest in millions. Although the Indian Premier League was held in the UAE and without any fans, it broke many viewership records. After that, India are playing Australia and that has also seen limited fans.
The IPL being held amidst the pandemic did two things for world cricket. First, it gave confidence that multi-team tournaments could be held. Second, it underlined the clout of India when it came to cricket in the world. These were the points that was stressed upon by Haroon Lorgat, the former International Cricket Council (ICC) CEO who is now currently the director of strategy and development in the Abu Dhabi T10 League.
Speaking exclusively to DNA from Abu Dhabi, Haroon Lorgat said, “The manner in which the IPL was held amidst the pandemic gave us the confidence that the T10, which is a much smaller event, can be easily conducted. It goes without saying the way the game of cricket is being followed and supported, in particular in India is phenomenal. India leads the way in many respects in so far as cricket is concerned and that shapes world cricket. There is far more support and there is a huge economy. Some of the best players come out of India. What India does to reshape the post-COVID19 world when it comes to cricket will go a long way in shaping the world.”
It is with the confidence of the IPL that Abu Dhabi now gears up to host the Abu Dhabi T10 League from January 28 onwards. This tournament could potentially see crowds enter the stadium and this could be a springboard for the T10 format to be part of larger spectacles like the Commonwealth Games or the Olympics in the near future.
“I was introduced to T10 cricket in 2019 and it opened my eyes to the potential of the league. Eventually, one is hopeful that Commonwealth and Olympic Games would embrace the T10 League. In 2021, we will have higher expectations as organisers of the league as it has shown phenomenal growth. We have a great pool of international, local and associate members. The make-up of the tournament looks good. IPL is the league and I am hopeful that T10 will find a place, whether among the youth, women’s game. It is resonating with the best players in the world. You just have to look at the players participating. I just hope we can take it to other parts of the world. I hope it is a regular event,” Haroon Lorgat said.
In the ongoing India vs Australia series, there have been plenty of questions raised on the severity of the bio-bubble in Australia. The Indian cricket team was in quarantine for 14 days on arrival in Australia while they were in the IPL bio-bubble for two months. The quarantine measures are proving to be a massive headache with reports that the Brisbane Test on January 15 between India and Australia under doubt. Haroon Lorgat admitted that the bio-bubbles are a challenge and pointed out the recent series between England and South Africa which was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are challenged by the bio-secure bubbles. We have to take into account the limitations the pandemic poses. For players to be contained for a long period of time, it is difficult for their mind and well-being. People get nervous in a foreign country. The players (referring to England players in South Africa) were not comfortable. We have to respect their frame of mind. They must be in a good space to compete. It is highly competitive and the state of the players must be taken into account,” Haroon Lorgat said.
When asked about his expectations in the year 2021 as far as T10 and world cricket is concerned, Haroon Lorgat said it was good that cricket has started again. “First and foremost, it is important that the game must be played. Let us hope the pandemic disappears. It came as a bolt from the blue. I hope it is sorted out in terms of vaccination. We are really keen on the T10 format. I did not see the potential of the value when I heard it. When I saw it last year, it is a real game of cricket,” Haroon Lorgat said.
