Amid lockdown, the cricket boards across the world are exploring options to resume the normalcy but in empty stadiums. Recently, German football league (DFL) confirmed that Europe’s highly rated football competition Bundesliga would restart on May 16 after a suspension of more than two months. After this decision, it is expected that the rest of the sporting world will also follow the pattern.
Even the National Rugby League (NRL) – Australia’s top-level domestic men’s rugby league club competition – is ready to make its return to the field on May 28. Considering all this, cricket may also make its return in front of empty stands to ensure the secure environment.
Recently, India men’s cricket team captain Virat Kohli admitted the possibility of such events. However, he wasn’t sure how players would react as they are used to playing in front of so many fans.
“It’s quite a possible situation, it might happen, I honestly don’t know how everyone is going to take that because we all are used to playing in front of so many passionate fans,” said Kohli in Star Sports’ show ‘Cricket Connected’.
While speaking to sports presenter Jatin Sapru, Kohli also said that it would be challenging to recreate the feeling when players play in front of crowds, especially in tense games.
“I know it will be played at a very good intensity but that feeling of the crowd connecting with the players and the tension of the game where everyone goes through it in the stadium, those emotions are very difficult to recreate,” the 31-year-old added.
The Delhi-born expressed that many such moments which cricketers witness while surrounded with passionate fans will be missing.
“Things will still go on, but I doubt that one will feel that magic happening inside because of the atmosphere that was created. We will play sports how it is supposed to be played, but those magical moments will be difficult to come by,” Kohli added further.
