THE HIMALAYAN MAIL JAMMU Q TUESDAY Q SEPTEMBER 08, 2020 11

IPL 2020: Indian players will I can only change perception if wonder where fans are I get an opportunity: Pujara NEW DELHI:Former stadiums but it could be a NEW DELHI:The In- "Disappointed yes but New Zealand all-rounder challenge for the senior dian Premier League Play- frustrating no. I haven't Scott Styris feels foreign cricketers. ers' Auction auctions are al- been able to go to UK not players won't be much af- Earlier, experienced men- ways 'tricky' and going because I didn't want to fected, but the Indian crick- tal conditioning coach unsold does not make him play or they didn't want me eters will definitely miss the Paddy Upton had said that feel frustrated, reveals but because of the situation energy while playing in cricketers like Virat Kohli Cheteshwar Pujara as he which is same for all crick- front of empty stands in the who depend on external fights the public perception eters. upcoming Indian Premier stimulation and are used to of being a red-ball special- "I have to understand League to be held at the 'pressure' are 'really going to ist. these are tough times. It is UAE. struggle' in front of empty There are players who more important to be with The 13th edition of IPL, stadium but self-motivated have had similar strike- family and stay safe and not which will get underway on players will 'do a hell lot bet- rates (110 approx) but got worry too much about not September 19, will be held ter' in this year's IPL. picked by franchises but Pu- getting too much match in a bio-secure environ- Moved out of India due to jara the architect of India's practice. There are people, ment behind closed doors -- players, I can't remember. I "It might be little odd at the COVID-19 pandemic, historic series-win in Aus- who have endured way prevalent in the Indian mats. As long as I playing at least the first phase -- in mean (Virat) Kohli, 10 years the start, but like Scotty (Scot the world's biggest T20 tralia in 2018-19 has been more difficulties," he said. the wake of the raging ago, most of those players Styris) said, that energy league this year will be left high and dry. cricket eco-system? the game, I will remain a "I would say yes, it's a per- student of the game as there Contentment is key to COVID-19 pandemic. have been around long sometimes you get from played across the three Does it hurt or irk him, leading a good life and the "I don't think there will be enough now. They won't crowds, particularly in India, venues of Dubai, Abu Dhabi letting others decide about ception being tagged as a is no end to what you can Test player and I can't do learn. But as and when I get 32-year-old with 77 Test too much of an adjustment struggle, but they will just the IPL has moved to the and Sharjah in the UAE his credentials as a T20 matches in which he has for the overseas players. A from September 19 to No- much about it," said the an opportunity, then only I wonder where they are and UAE, but in India, it can player? scored 5840 runs with 18 lot of the overseas players vember 10. man who set up India's 2-1 can change the percep- look for that energy in other sometimes act like a 12th "As a cricketer, I can't hundreds understands that. play in front of small Chennai Super Kings series win in Australia with tion.," said the affable man ways," he added. man for the home team," he have that opinion. Also I "I wouldn't say that I feel crowds or even empty (CSK) will face off against de- more than 500 runs in the from Rajkot, who has Former India pacer Ajit said. feel that I am someone who like I don't have this or I grounds on a regular basis, fending champions Mumbai 2018-19 away series. played for Kings XI Punjab, Agarkar said it will be odd Royal Challengers Banga- will never have such egos don't have that. I am happy so they will be used to that," Indians in the tournament "I have always said that I Kolkata Knight Riders and initially to play in empty sta- lore (RCB) head coach Si- because I have seen and with what I have got," he Styris said in Star Sport's opener at the Sheikh Zayed should get opportunities Royal Challengers Banga- diums as in India the crowd mon Katich had said that known IPL auctions to be said. Cricket Connected show. can act as a 12th man for the younger guys will feel less Stadium in Abu Dhabi on and once I get opportuni- lore. tricky," Pujara said. "Be it for Indian Oil in of- "But you are right, Indian home team. pressure in front of empty September 19. "I have seen world class ties, then only I can prove Usually during the IPL, myself as white ball crick- Pujara is in England playing fice cricket or playing for players like Hashim Amla Saurashtra in the Ranji Tro- go unsold at the auctions. eter. I have performed well county cricket either for phy, my commitment is al- There have been lot of good in List A cricket (average of Derbyshire, Yorkshire or How England, Australia players can ways above 100 percent. My T20 players, who have 54), also in domestic T20s Nottinghamshire which commitment is to the game missed out on auction. So I (century in Mushtaq Ali wasn't possible due to and remaining true to it. I don't have any big ego that Trophy T20 tournament). I COVID-19 pandemic this have won matches for In- avoid IPL quarantine in UAE they are not picking me. have done well in List A year. games in England. Isn't it frustrating that dia. NEW DELHI:With the players will de-board and Yes, given a choice I would "Performance is some- when all his India mates "Nothing beats the feeling start of Indian Premier take another chartered like to play IPL," said Pu- thing which I can control will be getting to play when you win matches for League less than two weeks plane to Dubai. Technically, jara, who last featured in and I will do that. Only matches in the IPL, he can India with millions sup- away, there has been a lot of there is no case of coming in the IPL way back in 2014. thing I can do is wait for my only have net sessions with porting you. I know that debate about the fate of Eng- contact with any outsider af- Does he feel to be a victim opportunity. I am more still no clarity on domestic lish and Australian players ter leaving the bubble in of public perception so feeling and you can't beat than happy to play all for- cricket? who are currently playing in England and before enter- that," he said. England and will fly straight ing the bubble in UAE. into Dubai to be a part of the "Also, there will be a fresh 13th edition of the T20 test conducted the moment Can Liverpool win back-to-back EPL titles? league. these players arrive, so if NEW DELHI:Liverpool more as a result of the title While some franchises there is some issue it will raised the bar so high and being a formality rather have said there needs to be a come to light right then and enjoyed such a huge win- than any darker reason. six-day quarantine for them there. So, there is nothing to ning margin in claiming the But Liverpool will come and could see them miss worry about," the official English Premier League title under attack as the likes of their respective teams' said. last season it would be Guardiola, Chelsea's Frank opening games, others have Some of the big names churlish to doubt their cre- Lampard, Manchester pointed out how they should who are currently a part of dentials for a repeat show- United's Ole Gunnar Solsk- be excused since it would be the England-Australia series ing. jaer and Tottenham Hot- simply about moving from UAE when it comes to creat- have the Covid negative re- in the UK and also form an Recent history suggests, spur's Jose Mourinho, to one bio-secure bubble (in integral part of the IPL are however, that retaining the name a few rival managers, the UK) to another (in the ing the bio-secure environ- port with them," the official ment and they would be told ANI. Pat Cummins, Eoin Morgan trophy will be far more chal- splash the cash and figure UAE). (Kolkata Knight Riders), lenging for Juergen Klopp's out their weaknesses. An IPL official said that very much aware what Elaborating further, the David Warner, Jonny side. "If you can limit the sup- the fact that Restrata was needs to be done to ensure official said that the players Bairstow (Sunrisers Hyder- Pep Guardiola's magnifi- challenge in European foot- tinue to stifle the life out of ply and influence of Alexan- handling the bio-bubbles in that the bubble doesn't would be flying into UAE in ball right now though. rivals, and when it comes to abad), Steve Smith, Jos But- cent Manchester City side der-Arnold and Robertson, both the UK and UAE could break when it comes to the chartered planes and there Klopp has not built a attacking width, full backs tler and Jofra Archer (Ra- did win back-to-back titles it is a good starting point to further work in favour of the players travelling from Eng- is no chance of coming in team for a one-off title Trent Alexander-Arnold jasthan Royals), Glenn between 2017-19, but be- stopping them," former Liv- English and Australian play- land to Dubai to be a part of contact with anyone from smash and grab, he has as- and Andy Robertson are the Maxwell (Kings XI Punjab), fore that bragging rights erpool player Graeme ers and help them get onto the IPL. So, Restrata han- outside the bubble. sembled one for lasting best duo in the business. dling the bubbles in both "See, the travel plan is that Aaron Finch (Royal Chal- had changed hands every Souness said. the ground without having season since 2009-10. dominance. Up front the attacking tri- "Certainly, do not kick the to go for the six-day quaran- places can actually work in the chartered plane going lengers Bangalore), Jason From the back to the front dent of Mo Salah, Sadio favour of the players and from England to Australia Roy, Marcus Stoinis (Delhi Klopp's side finished 18 ball long at Van Dijk's head. tine. points above Manchester there are no weaknesses Mane and Roberto Firmino "Liverpool are the "Restrata is the common save them from undergoing will be stopping at Mumbai Capitals), Sam Curran and, tellingly, it is difficult are not about to go all goal- six days of quarantine if they and that is where the IPL (Chennai Super Kings). City last season and an in- favourites for the title, but I factor in both the UK and credible 33 above Manches- to pick out the team's most shy. A bench featuring ex- don't see them running ter United and Chelsea in valuable component, such perienced heads such as away with it again," he third and fourth place re- is the value every player James Milner, Xherdan added. Get Manjrekar back as commentator: spectively. brings to the mix. Shaqiri and precocious Klopp has so far kept his The German knows it will In keeper Alisson, Liver- youth such as full back Neco powder dry in the transfer be much closer this time, pool have arguably the best Williams gives a bountiful market, signing only Kon- not because his side are stopper in the world while options. stantinos Tsimikas from MCA official to BCCI likely to regress, but be- Virgil van Dijk, in his prime Klopp is unlikely to veer Olympiakos as cover for NEW DELHI:Mumbai even though they might have would be happy to apologise cause the natural evolution at 29 years of age, would away from the formula that Robertson. Cricket Association mem- not speak publicly on this," to the concerned party.' of the Premier League walk into the central de- has worked so well, even if That could change in the bers are unhappy with the says Memon. "They are all Memon is unhappy that means their main rivals will fence of any team in Eu- his side's form after the re- coming weeks though, as treatment meted out to for- surprised as to how Man- Manjrekar's letter to the have spared nothing to rope. sumption of last season fol- standing still in the Premier mer India player Sanjay jrekar has been sacked." BCCI was leaked, which he close the gap. The midfield, with skip- lowing the three-month League, even for a team as Manjrekar, who has been Manjrekar courted con- believes was a humiliation Catching Liverpool pre- per Jordan Henderson as COVID-19 hiatus was less dominant as Liverpool, is sacked as a commentator. troversy during last year's for the former India bats- sents arguably the toughest its beating heart, will con- impressive -- probably not a viable option. Manjrekar was sacked World Cup when he termed man."He has clarified all the from the BCCI commentary Ravindra Jadeja a 'bits and issues that had cropped up in panel earlier this year. Even pieces cricketer', something his letter, like with Ravindra he and Sunil Gavaskar come 'Tokyo Olympics must be held next year at any cost' though he wrote a detailed that didn't go well with the Jadeja, so I don't know apology to BCCI President on commentary I don't move Saurashtra all-rounder, who where the problem lies and NEW DELHI:The re- the Olympics organising Sourav Ganguly and other away from the television set questioned the Mumbaikar's why he has been sacked," arranged Tokyo Games committee met for the first members of the apex council when they are on air because cricketing credentials. Memon says. must be held "at any cost" in time last week to develop he has not been reinstated they speak so well, they have Manjrekar also received "But that letter was leaked, 2021, Japan's Olympic Min- steps to counter the coro- for this year's IPL. so much in-depth knowl- flak on social media for his which was sort of humiliat- ister Seiko Hashimoto said navirus at the Games. MCA Apex Council mem- edge of the game," Memon on-air comment about fel- ing for such a big cricketer on Tuesday. In an interview with ber Nadeem Memon has adds. low commentator Harsha like Manjrekar. His father Speaking at a news con- Reuters in July, Tokyo written to Ganguly and BCCI "They make watching Bhogle during the pink ball Vijay Manjrekar was also a ference, Hashimoto said the 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto Secretary Jay Shah, asking cricket so interesting with Test against Bangladesh in big player for the country." Games should be held for said organisers are prepar- them to appoint Manjrekar their lively comments." Kolkata last year when he Memon is hoping that the benefit of the athletes, ing to host the Games next as commentator. Memon says the entire questioned Harsha's credi- common sense prevails and regardless of the challenges year even if the global "I have written to Sourav Mumbai cricketing commu- bility since he had not played Manjrekar is back in the posed by the novel coron- coronavirus pandemic Ganguly and Jay Shah. I will nity is firmly behind Man- cricket at the highest level. commentary box to add avirus pandemic. hasn't eased substantially. bring up this issue at the jrekar, who played 37 Tests In his letter to Ganguly, value to the telecast of India's The Japanese govern- Organisers are looking and 54 ODIs for India, and MCA Apex Council meeting Manjrekar offered his apolo- games. ment and the International the Games is working to- the Games at any cost," at over 200 proposals on was part of BCCI's commen- and tell them to take up this gies 'if I have offended any- "Gavaskar and Manjrekar Olympic Committee took gether to prepare, and the she added. how best to deal with the tary panel for several years. matter with the BCCI, " one.' are the two of the best com- the unprecedented decision athletes are also making "I want to concentrate virus, including easing "All the clubs from Mum- Memon tells Harish Kot- He stated that 'this sacking mentators in India so defi- in March to postpone the considerable efforts to- all our efforts on measures travel restrictions for for- bai are firmly behind Man- ian/Rediff.com. for whatever reason has nitely he deserves to be part Games, originally sched- wards next year," against the coronavirus." eign athletes, anti-virus jrekar, even some of the "Manjrekar is such a gen- shaken my confidence as a of the commentary panel in uled to begin in July, until Hashimoto said during a Officials from the measures at the Athletes' great Mumbai players of the uine person, he is one of the professional. If unwittingly, the IPL and other India 2021 because of the virus. news conference. Japanese government, lo- Village and how to handle past are supporting him, best commentators. When I have offended anyone I matches." "Everyone involved with "I think we have to hold cal Tokyo government and spectators.