Namaste the new way of celebration in cricket? Ajinkya Rahane gives his take

Will coronavirus dismiss the tight hugs, loud high-fives and fist pumps fans see when Virat Kohli celebrates after Jasprit Bumrah or R Ashwin take wickets?

Answering this question is the Indian Test team vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane. The batsman has suggested curbing the celebrations on the cricket field when the action returns after the pandemic.

Rahane said the celebrations after getting a wicket maybe just be a plain and simple ‘namaste’.

“Now celebrating a wicket will be like doing a namaste or something else. Just stay at your place like old times, don’t need to run in from the boundary, you can do namaste. You cannot take anything for granted. Not only cricket I think in general our lifestyle will be impacted,” Rahane said in the web conference organised by ELSA Corp.

Rahane believes that emotions need to be kept in check as physical contact will be minimized because of the pandemic.

The cricketer also added that there perhaps won’t be any dynamic changes in the way cricket is played on the field. He, however, stated there will be lifestyle changes for sure. 

“Don’t know when cricket will start but whenever it will there be some lifestyle changes, don’t think cricket on the field will change much but lifestyle for sure,” he added. 

The Mumbai right-handed batsman also said that he is eager to get back on the field.

“Don’t know what actions ICC will take. Personally will have to wait and watch. We’ll have to watch for cricket to resume and see what changes the authorities make but we’re looking forward to being on the field,” Rahane added.

As for the COVID-19 crisis, it has led to postponement or cancellation of all sporting activities. The fate of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup is also not yet known.