THE HIMALAYAN MAIL JAMMU Q THURSDAY Q APRIL 08 2021 11 Bengaluru FC confirms 3 COVID-19 ICC ready with backup plans if T20 cases ahead of AFC Qualifiers World Cup moved out of India NEW DELHI, APRIL healthy." 07: Indian football club BFC will take on either NEW DELHI, APRIL technology to get correct Bengaluru FC on Wednes- Nepal Army Club or Sri 07: ICC's interim CEO Ge- decisions but striving for day said three COVID-19 Lanka Police at the GMC off Allardice on Wednesday perfection becomes impos- cases have been detected Stadium in Bambolim on said the body has backup sible."We are very comfort- among its players and staff April 14. plans in place for the T20 able with where we are at after the side assembled for Earlier, BFC skipper and World Cup in India later the moment," he said. training in Panaji ahead of India star Sunil Chettri had this year but is currently not Allardice acknowledged its AFC Qualifiers (Prelimi- tested positive for COVID- entertaining any thoughts the challenges countries are nary Stage Two) match on 19. The striker, however, of moving it out of the coun- facing in order to host April 14. has recovered. try despite a surge in cricket matches and tour- The positive cases were BFC finished seventh on COVID-19 cases. naments in terms of main- reported during BFC's the table at the end of the The tournament is sched- taining communication training camp which began last ISL league stage. uled to be held in October- with their respective gov- on April 5. The former champions November in India, which ernments."The vaccination is reporting over one lakh role in different countries "Latest COVID-19 tests and staff," the club said on to take all the necessary pre- logged 22 points after win- The 53-year-old Aus- for the shortest format's daily cases for the past few might change the dynam- within the Blues' camp in its twitter handle. cautions at the highest levels ning five matches, drawing tralian, who has played do- biggest international event days. Amid the COVID ics... They have done an Goa have shown three posi- "Bengaluru FC continues to stay safe, secure and seven and losing eight mestic cricket in his coun- should the situation de- tive cases among players games. surge, the IPL is due to start try, said the ICC is also in mand a shift. amazing job in the last 10 on Friday in Chennai be- touch with other sports During the interaction, he months in hosting hind closed doors. bodies to understand how was also asked about the matches." "We are certainly pro- they are managing in the Decision Review System He also admitted that Bio-bubbles a 'never-ending nightmare' ceeding with the event as COVID era. (DRS), of which the con- COVID-19 has affected the planned," Allardice said "Cricket is being played in tentious Umpire's Call is a women's game. during a virtual media a number of countries at the part, something that was When asked if the pan- for cricketers, says Maxwell round-table. moment and we are learn- dubbed confusing by India demic has pushed back "Plan B we have, but we women's cricket just at a NEW DELHI, APRIL conditions could turn out to ing from all of them. captain Virat Kohli during haven't activated those time when it was gaining 07: Big-hitting Australian be handy for Kohli and the "We have been talking to the limited overs engage- plans yet. We are working momentum following the all-rounder Glenn Maxwell RCB in their endeavour to others sports bodies about ments against England. with the BCCI, we do have roaring success of the last says being continuously lift a maiden IPL title. what they are doing, we are Allardice said there was backup plans that can be T20 World Cup in Aus- confined to bio-bubbles can "...I think my perfor- in a good shape at the mo- "a good discussion" on DRS activated if the time tralia, he said, "Last 3-4 become a 'nightmare' and mances will take care of ment but acknowledge that during the recent ICC comes," he added. years the momentum we cricketers are leading a diffi- themselves. I want to have a the world is changing at a Board Meeting. Allardice, ICC's general built around international cult lifestyle right now to en- positive influence of every- rapid rate. "DRS was designed to manger - cricket, was re- cricket is fantastic. The final sure that they continue to thing I do, be it attitude, "We have also got the overturn the clear errors. cently made the interim (between India and Aus- do their job. helping out around the World Test Championship There has been no whole- CEO after Manu Sawhney tralia) at MCG was a special Maxwell, who had his team, leadership wise help- final coming up in two sale changes in it. was sent on "leave" after his moment. share of problems with ing out Virat when he needs months' time, but we are "I think more and more conduct came under the "Then COVID hit and mental fatigue in the past, it..."I suppose with my ex- proceeding with both as when you see a replay, the scanner during an internal made life very difficult to admitted that adjusting to perience, I think its my planned," he said. natural reaction is what can investigation by UK-based reestablish it. That will be such a life amid the COVID- 22nd trip to India... so with The UAE, which hosted we do... overruling a clear audit firm Pricewater- the focus in the next 12 19 pandemic is definitely that sort of experience you the IPL last year, could be error. We have got to a houseCoopers. months." taking a toll on players have got to help out the rest one of the backup venues point where we are using around the world. "It does put a strain on a ously having known them of the group," Maxwell said. "It's very difficult (to lot of relationships as well. very well off the field, played Maxwell said having move from one bubble to You need your support net- against them fair bit but fi- spent the entire lockdown other)... you being sheltered works to get you through nally I got to play in the period with his fiancee Vini How Dhoni's tips helped from people outside your those tough times." same team," Maxwell said. Raman at his Melbourne bio-secure bubble and you Talking about the upcom- "Not really," was his re- home, he is feeling fresh get stuck into this never- ing IPL, Maxwell said sponse to a query on now and can't wait to take couldn't care less for all the whether he was surprised Natarajan improve his bowling ending nightmare where the field for his new IPL you are living the same day chatter around his hefty by the high bid he attracted side."I was so excited to get NEW DELHI, APRIL over and over again," he price tag despite under- at the auction."I thought going. A new team, a new 07: Left-arm yorker spe- said in an interview posted whelming past perfor- that there might be a little tournament we are back in cialist Thangarasu Natara- by his IPL franchise Royal mances as he is excited bit of interest. A lot of teams India after Dubai last year, jan says former India cap- Challengers Bangalore on about living a long-cher- have brought that middle- I was so excited. Happy to tain Mahendra Singh YouTube. ished dream of playing order overseas player but I be outside of quarantine. It Dhoni's advice to bowl slow "You almost tend to forget alongside Virat Kohli and knew a couple of teams was nice to see some bouncers and cutters dur- how to have a normal con- AB de Villiers.Despite poor were looking at a batting friendly faces, meet a few ing his breakout IPL season versation with the outside outings in the last two IPLs, off-spinner and I am glad new people, get out and run last year helped him get bet- world. That can be very Maxwell managed to earn that two teams went harder around. ter at his craft. hard mentally and is a mas- big bucks again in this year's and RCB got hold of me." "Hopefully, that lifts other The 30-year-old Natara- sive challenge. But it's great auction when RCB signed RCB will take on Mumbai people as well when they see jan, who bowled a maxi- to be back playing and to be him for a whopping Rs Indians in the tournament- you happy running around. mum 71 yorkers among all able to do our jobs and en- 14.25 crore. opener in Chennai on Fri- It can be infectious, it can pacers in the IPL last year, tertain people. But it's still a "It's been a long time day. spread through the group dismissed big names such difficult lifestyle at the mo- (dream of playing alongside He said his vast experi- pretty quickly as much as a as Dhoni and AB de Villiers ment," he added. Kohli and de Villiers). Obvi- ence of playing in Indian negative reaction can." during the season. "Speaking to somebody like Dhoni itself is a big thing. He spoke to me about Confident that Harbhajan will do a fitness and encouraged me, saying that I will keep get- who was later included in with him." n't really tell the others ting better with experience.