"Cricket should only start when...": Ajinkya Rahane on resumption of sports

Senior Indian batsman Ajinkya Rahane reckons that Namaste and clapping would replace handshakes and high-fives when cricket resumes post-COVID-19 pandemic. The vice-captain of the Indian Test team is also of the view that cricket should resume only when there’s a vaccine available to fight the virus. 

Celebrating a dismissal of wicket might look completely different for the fielding side as Rahane said that a player might stand-still and clap to celebrate a fall of a wicket, just like the old times. However, Rahane stated that nothing can be taken for granted once sports resumes and safety of the fans will be of utmost importance while adding that there will be changes in lifestyle while travelling. 

"I think we might go back to the good old days when fielders would still stand in their designated positions after the fall of a wicket and clap," Rahane said in an online briefing.

ALSO READ: 'Indian hero' - Moldovan tennis player feeds poor in lockdown

"Maybe handshakes will be replaced by a namaste," he added, referring to the Indian greeting where both hands are brought together in front of the chest.

"But once sport resumes, you can't take anything for granted. The safety of the fans will be of utmost importance. There will be changes in lifestyle while travelling."

With cricket action paused for almost three months due to COVID-19 pandemic, Rahane said that players would need three to four weeks of complete practice to regain their rhythm. 

ALSO READ: "I too feel the pressure": MS Dhoni opens up on the issue of mental health

"We would be needing three to four weeks of proper practice before playing any kind of competitive game," said Rahane, speaking as brand ambassador of the ELSA (English Language Speech Assistant) app.

"I am missing my batting. But obviously, cricket should only start when we get a vaccine to fight the virus," Rahane concluded.