Have doubts about T20 World Cup, October-November window could belong to IPL: BCCI apex council member Anshuman Gaekwad

BCCI apex council member Anushman Gaekwad on Wednesday said that the ICC T20 World Cup 2020, scheduled to be hosted by Australia, is unlikely to go ahead, opening a window for the much-awaited Indian Premier League (IPL) depending on the situation surrounding COVID-19 in India.

Gaekwad opined that the only window for IPL is October-November, which is booked for the T20 World Cup while adding the IPL can only happen if the marquee event in Australia gets cancelled or postponed. 

"I have my doubts that T20 WC will be held this year. About IPL, we cannot think of just now. It will depend on Indian conditions and the window is only during this T20 WC which is October-November," Gaekwad told 'PTI-Bhasha'.

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"If the World Cup gets cancelled or postponed, then only IPL can happen but then also it depends on what the conditions are in India," he said.

Gaekwad is of the view that cricket post-pandemic won’t be the same as the players aren’t used to be playing in front of empty stands while adding that it will be a difficult phase for the world of cricket.

"Cricket is not going to be the same, the approach would be different. There will be no crowd in the stadiums. Cricketers are not used to playing in empty stadiums.

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"It will be one very difficult aspect of playing new type of cricket, "Gaekwad said.

"It may take another two months or four months or more to resume cricket. It is not theory that you can read and write. You have to perform so nothing is going to be easy," he said.

"If you are not mentally strong, it will not be easy," added the former player who has played 40 Tests and 15 ODIs for India.