THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2020 (PAGE 10) DAILY EXCELSIOR, JAMMU IPL 2020 suspended indefinitely Fight against COVID-19 is mother after lockdown extension of all World Cups: Shastri NEW DELHI, Apr 15: of the decision by Hemang Secretary Jay Shah, IPL chair- NEW DELHI, Apr 15: are playing but 1.4 billion are in basics. We've got a Prime Amin, IPL's chief operating offi- man Brijesh Patel, BCCI treasur- the playing arena and competing. Minister who is leading from the The Board of Control for cer. er Arun Dhumal, and Amin. India's head cricket coach "Come on guys, let's do it front, ahead of the curve," Cricket in India (BCCI ) has sus- Amin told the franchises that This is the second time the Ravi Shastri today described the together. Let's get out there, a Shastri said. pended the 2020 edition of IPL following the extension of the BCCI has been forced to defer country's fight against the brute force of 1.4 billions and "You have got to obey the indefinitely, after the extension nationwide lockdown till May 3 the IPL, which was originally COVID-19 pandemic as the orders that come from the top, be of lockdown in the country till by the Indian Government, there scheduled to be held between "mother of all world cups". it the Centre, be it the State or be May 3, to combat the spread of was no possibility of hosting the March 29 and May 24. The coronavirus outbreak has it from the people in the front- Novel Coronavirus. event in the regular summer win- Last month, after the so far claimed over 350 lives and line who are risking their lives. The 2020 season, which had dow. Government had put the country infected more than 11,000 peo- "Two orders that stand out; in a three-week lockdown, there ple in India, forcing the staying home and maintaining was speculation about making Government to extend a 21-day social distancing. It isn't easy but the IPL a closed-door event (to lockdown to May 3 to contain to win the game, you've got to go be played in empty stadiums and PM Modi lauds chess players’ the dreaded disease. through the pain, to break the Shastri shared a video mes- televised), before the start date chain." sage on his twitter account, urg- was officially deferred to April innovative method of raising money The disease has killed more ing people to apply lessons from 15. than 1.2 lakh and infected nearly NEW DELHI, Apr 15: "Innovative effort and kind sports to fight the pandemic. Prime Minister Narendra gesture by our chess players, "Today, the COVID-19 coro- 2 million people globally. It has Modi yesterday announced an Prime Minister Narendra including @vishy64theking, na have put us in a situation also brought sporting events extension of the lockdown until Modi today lavished praise on @viditchess, Pentala where we have our backs to the around the world to a halt. May 3, even as all domestic and Indian chess players, including Harikrishna, B. Adhiban and walls. To combat this COVID-19 Last month, Shastri had international travel in and out of world champion Vishwanathan @HarikaDronavali," Modi corona is like chasing a world beat this corona and get our urged people to stay home at all the country remained blocked, Anand, for coming up with an tweeted. cup, where you give your every- hands on the world cup of costs, saying the "only thing fly- which made it clear that there "innovative" way to raise funds "Am sure the participants thing and try to win it," the 57- humanity," he added. ing around the world like a trac- for the country's fight against would have had an enriching earlier been postponed to April The decision follows a meet- would be no chance of hosting year-old said. Shastri praised Prime er bullet is this bloody Corona", COVID-19 pandemic. experience," he added. 15, will not be held in the regular ing among the BCCI's top brass the IPL in the foreseeable future. "What's staring you in the Minister Narendra Modi and said using commentary cliche, made Five leading players Vidit In India, the COVID-19 pan- summer window, ESPNCricinfo over a conference call yesterday On Wednesday, the death toll face (COVID-19) is no ordinary he is leading from the front. famous by him, to convey his Gujrathi, P Harikrishna and B demic has so far claimed over reported today. evening. Among those involved due to COVID-19 increased to World Cup, this is the mother of "Guys we can win this, but message. (PTI) Adhiban, Koneru Humpy and 350 lives while infecting close According to the report, all in the discussions were BCCI 392 in the country and the total all World Cups, where not just 11 for that you've got to observe the Dharika, alongside Anand had to 12,000 across the country. eight franchises were informed president Sourav Ganguly, number of infections neared the 12,000-mark, including 1,343 participated in an online chess Modi yesterday extended the people, who had recovered. exhibition and helped raise Rs lockdown till May 3 in a bid to Aussie rower in lockdown (UNI) 4.5 lakh for the PM-CARES contain the spread of the virus. Fund. (PTI) unwittingly sets world record Laxman hits back at Clarke, says just being SYDNEY, Apr 15: "And it's a tough machine, about exactly how far she need- it's a full-body workout." Rowe ed to row, 21,097 metres or An Australian rower who set told the Australian Broadcasting 21,097.5. nice doesn’t guarantee a place in IPL out to rack up some kilometres Corporation that her approach To be certain, she completed while on COVID-19 lockdown MUMBAI, Apr 15: "If you're friendly with any comments as "ridiculous". inadvertently broke a world Indian player it doesn't mean that Srikkanth, who was part of record for the indoor rowing half- Former Indian batsman VVS you are getting IPL contract. As a the 1983 World Cup winning marathon, officials said today. Laxman took a jibe at Michael mentor, I'm on the auction table Indian team, said matches are not Like the rest of the Australian Clarke for his recent claims that and we select players, those inter- won by sledging. team, Georgie Rowe was training Buttler says he is in awe of Australian cricketers "sucked up" national players that have played "You do not win matches just at home in Sydney by herself last to India captain Virat Kohli for exceptionally well for their coun- by sledging. Aussie's loss is a weekend as she deals with the Rohit's effortless batting loss, his statement was ridiculous disappointment of not travelling I would say," said 60-year-old NEW DELHI, Apr 15: double hundreds in the format. to Japan this year for the Tokyo Srikkanth. Olympics. The 32-year-old had equalled Srikkanth, himself an aggres- England batsman Jos Buttler Sachin Tendulkar's record for Rowe, 27, was on a Concept2 sive player, said that sledging rowing machine and such was her was effusive in his praise for most centuries in World Cup cannot help in any way. Rohit Sharma, describing the matches when he scored five hun- intensity that she clocked a time "If you ask Nasser Hussain or India opener as an awesome play- dreds at the 2019 World Cup to of 1hr 19min 28.4sec over a dis- Sir Vivian Richards who are er, who can "effortlessly" take end up as the highest-scorer with tance of 21,097 metres. down any opposition by scoring 648 runs. experienced players, you can It smashed the record for the big hundreds. "One of the things I have seen never score runs or get wickets heavyweight women's half- "Rohit Sharma I think is an with Rohit is that if he gets in, he through sledging. You need to marathon set five years ago by awesome player," Buttler said scores big runs and really affects play good cricket and showcase US rower Esther Lofgren by during an Instagram live session the game. He must have scored 4- determination; you need to bowl more than 40 seconds. on Rajasthan Royals page. 5 hundreds in the World Cup last well to get wickets and bat well to Rowing Australia spokes- "Effortless. Quite a lot of year," said Buttler, who had protecting their IPL contracts, try and can add value to the fran- achieve targets. Sledging cannot woman Lucy Benjamin said it Indian players have that awesome shared the dressing room with saying just being nice to someone chise. help in any way according to my was an extraordinary effort in the was to plug the distance into the 21,098, leading to a minor delay style. Rohit at Mumbai Indians in the doesn't guarantee a spot in the "Friendship with any Indian opinion," he said. circumstances, particularly as machine then "put some music in Concept2 recognising her "He has been fantastic for a 2016 and 2017 seasons. cash-rich tournament. player doesn't ensure entry into Australian Test skipper Tim Rowe normally works as part of on and just go for it". achievement. long time and I just like the way Buttler feels the Indian play- Clarke, a former Australian the IPL," Laxman, who amassed Paine had earlier hit back at a team in the women's eight. "Whether it is a world But the time is now listed on he bats and the effortless nature in ers now have become better in captain, raised several eyebrows 8,781 Test runs, said without Clarke, saying his team avoided "It's a mental challenge record or not, I just wanted to the manufacturer's website and which he takes people down." negotiating short balls. after he claimed that there was a mincing any words. provoking "any fight" with Kohli because you're on your own and get the metres up for my state," Rowe will no doubt be hoping Rohit is currently regarded as "I think a few years ago peo- phase when Australian cricketers Former Indian opener as part of its strategy to keep the you don't have your crew with she said. for greater glory when she even- one of the greatest ODI players, ple used to attack Indian players were so keen on protecting their Krishnamachari Srikkanth also Indian captain's bat quiet, not a you," she said. When Rowe realised a tually competes at the resched- ranked only behind India skipper with the short ball but Rohit IPL deals that they felt "scared" of shot back at Clarke, terming his ploy to save IPL contracts. (PTI) record was in the offing she uled Tokyo Games next year. Virat Kohli at the top of the ICC smashes them. Then you go fuller sledging India skipper Kohli and admitted to some confusion (Agencies) rankings. The Mumbaikar is the and he smashes them right down his teammates and instead Sport must wait for some months, only batsman to have scored three the ground." (PTI) "sucked up" to them. "Just by being nice to some- Sports Ministry to engage with 11 Indian women qualify one doesn't get you a place in time not ideal: Medical experts IPL," Laxman, who also mentors NEW DELHI, Apr 15: coronavirus has not spared any- that the event stands "postponed Federations via video conference today IPL team Sunrisers Hyderabad thing. indefinitely" after the lockdown to NEW DELHI, Apr 15: now that Olympics have been for 2021 World Cup told Star Sports on its show Forced out of grounds, tracks "I have no doubt that sport is combat the pandemic was extend- delayed and we had certain plans 'Cricket Connected'. DUBAI, Apr 15: teams will share points for the and courts by the COVID-19 pan- great but at the moment, the focus ed till May 3, leaving no scope for The Sports Ministry will in place, the ministry wants to "Any franchise will look at cancelled three-match series. demic, sports events may help in is on saving lives, and having the league to take place during its reach out to 11 national federa- discuss way the forward," India today sealed their qualifi- "With respect to the India v the player's caliber and value add the long run, but medical experts sports events, which attract large designated window. tions tomorrow via video confer- Bishwadeep said. cation for the 2021 Women's Pakistan series, the TC conclud- to the team, which gives them today warned that resuming any- crowds, could prove to be disas- Dr Ashis Acharya, a sports ence for a possible discussion on Asked what thought process World Cup following the cancel- ed that the series could not be desired results by winning match- thing this year could mean putting trous," Akash Sabharwal, a medicine expert at the Sir Ganga the future course of action as the AITA will take into the meet- lation of their ODI played because of a Force es/tournaments. These are the lives at risk. renowned sports injury surgeon Ram Hospital, one of the capital's sporting activities have been sus- ing, he said the federation will Championship round against Majeure event after the BCCI kind of players who get IPL con- When sporting events do even- associated with the Max Hospitals, top health institutes, went a step pended due to the COVID-19 seek funds to create a robust tually make a comeback, which said. further and said live games should Pakistan with the BCCI not get- demonstrated that it was unable tracts. So just being nice to some- pandemic. national circuit in the changed cir- ting Government clearance to to obtain the necessary one will not earn you a spot in the some of the region's top doctors Since the "transmission rate is not be held for at least six months. believe is not going to happen until very high", he said it should be "Sports is way down in the It has been learnt from reli- cumstances. play the arch-rivals. Government clearances to allow IPL." able sources in the National "We still have some unutilised The India-Pakistan round was India to participate in the bilater- Laxman, a veteran of 134 at least the next six months or may completely avoided for a substan- priority right now. We have to first be nine, it may not be the same ini- tial period of time, even though focus on the essentials so that peo- Sports Federations (NSFs) that funds to the tune of Rs 65 lakh. scheduled to take place between al series against Pakistan, which Tests, said as a mentor when he is Sports Secretary Radheyshyam We will ask for permission to use on the auction table, those players tially. sport encourages physical and ple are not strained. I don't think it July and November last year but forms a part of the ICC Women's From cricket, football, tennis, mental well-being besides a sense is wise to have them for at least Julaniya will address two repre- that fund for organising tourna- was always subject to Championship," said the ICC in a are looked at who do exceptional- racing, to the mother of all sporting of inclusivity. the next three to six months," sentatives each from the 11 feder- ments." Government clearance. Both statement. (PTI) ly well for their country. events, the Olympics, the novel As chief executives of various Acharya said. ations invited for a meeting, the Asked why they would need leagues and administrators mull Dr Neha Gupta, an infectious agenda of which has not been dis- permission if they already have ways to restart tournaments and disease specialist at Gurugram's closed. funds in their pocket, Bishwadeep championships once the pandem- Medanta Hospital, concurred with The Ministry, in the first said the funds are always released ic is brought under control, the Sabharwal and Acharya. batch, will address federations for specific purposes and they are doctor said even hosting them "We have seen that with this which are managing 'priority' dis- seeking a diversion. without an audience is not advis- new virus, the chances of spread is ciplines. "NSFs get funds, like some able at this point of time. very high, so I don't think sports NSFs invited in the first batch for equipment some for tourna- "That can be done when things events should be held for some are Handball, Basketball, ments and some for foreign expo- are much better from what they months, at least till the time the Volleyball, Wushu, Tennis, sure. Due to lockdown, players are now. But even then, it will be situation is not brought under con- Squash, Special Olympic Bharat, are at home so money meant for risky as it involves players, offi- trol," Gupta said. Yachting, Kayaking and exposure remains unutilised and cials, organisers and so many No different was the thinking Canoeing, Kabaddi and All India something is there from the Fed staff, and chances of getting of Dr Puneet Khanna, the head of University (AIU). Cup. infected will always be there," he respiratory medicine department All India Tennis Association "We can't shift funds on our added. at the Manipal Hospital in CEO Akhouri Bishwadeep said own, so we will ask them if we "I understand big money is Dwarka. that there indeed is a meeting but can utilise the money for tourna- involved in events like the IPL, "It's absolutely wise to not but even the Olympics have been host any sporting events for three did not tell what the agenda of the ments because the players are suf- postponed, because there is no to six months at least, and doing meeting is. fering due to shutdown of of ITF, other option." otherwise could prove to be a dis- "I can't tell you what the agen- WTA and ATP tours." The BCCI yesterday told aster, putting lives in danger," he da is because we have not been Bishwadeep fears that even Indian Premier League franchises said. (PTI) told. I don't know if it's an ACTC when normalcy returns, it will be meeting. We were told that there a difficult to raise fund for tennis. Trump eager to ‘get sports back’ meeting via Zoom App. I assume (PTI) as league chiefs remain wary Murali Vijay dubs CSK as WASHINGTON, Apr 15: time in September. The dearth of sports has led to a special side in IPL President Donald Trump is han- wealth of speculation as to when CHENNAI, Apr 15: franchise. kering for a return of live sports and how competition could resume. The 36-year-old, who has action, but US league supremos are The NBA and NHL are Veteran opening batsman played for India in 61 Tests, the last taking a cautious approach to com- wrestling with how they might fash- Murali Vijay today described his being in 2018, was a part of all the petition amid the coronavirus pan- ion credible ends to campaigns that IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings three IPL-winning campaigns of demic. were heading into their final stages. as a special team in the T20 league CSK. "We have to get our sports Baseball, meanwhile, was with "legends of world cricket" "Twenty20 was a new format in back," Trump said yesterday. "I'm reported to be considering seques- forming a part of it. 2008/09, and I guess my game was tired of watching baseball games tering 30 teams in Arizona -- or per- "CSK is a very very special suited for white ball cricket when I that are 14 years old." Sports in haps Arizona and Florida -- to open team. The kind of players, who started. I kind of enjoyed it when the America, like the rest of the world, the season playing games in empty came aboard right from the first opportunity came to me. I was have been brought to a virtual stand- ballparks. auction, you name it, they are leg- ready up and going," he said. still by COVID-19. One ESPN reporter said he'd ends of world cricket," Vijay, who "The team atmosphere was The NBA shut down on March even heard it suggested that MLB spent five seasons with the team such that you want to contribute 11 after Utah Jazz center Rudy might try to launch its season in from 2009-13 in his first stint because everyone plays with such Gobert tested positive for the virus, Japan. before re-joining it in 2018, was energy and intensity. The competi- quoted as saying by the CSK web- tion was very high." and the NHL, Major League Soccer The NHL was reportedly site. The IPL, which was originally and the US PGA Tour quickly fol- mulling a single-venue re-start in "It was a great honour for us scheduled to begin on March 29, lowed suit. North Dakota, while Dana White, youngsters to step into the dressing has been put on hold due to the Major League Baseball's 2020 head of the Ultimate Fighting room and rub shoulders with some COVID-19 pandemic which has season, due to start March 26, is on Championship, indicated he was of the legends. You get to learn a lot wreaked havoc on the global sport- hold, as is the LPGA tour and motor considering holding mixed mar- of things by watching them and ing calendar resulting in various racing, while the NFL is just hoping tial arts cards on a private island. being around them," the right- han- events being cancelled or post- it will be able to start its season on (PTI) der said about his early days in the poned. (PTI)