'I have thought about it a lot (playing in empty stadiums). This is obviously a very possible situation, it might happen. I honestly don’t know how everyone is going to take that, because we are used to playing in front of so many passionate people,' said Virat Kohli
Bengaluru: Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli has shared his views on how it will be to play cricket matches behind closed doors when the sport resumes in the post-coronavirus (COVID-19) world.
All cricket matches around the globe have been suspended due to the spread of the virus. India remains under a lockdown until May 17. The 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2020) has been suspended indefinitely.
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Many are suggesting that cricket be restarted without spectators at stadiums. How will that scenario be like? Kohli has answered.
“I have thought about it a lot (playing in empty stadiums). This is obviously a very possible situation, it might happen. I honestly don’t know how everyone is going to take that, because we are used to playing in front of so many passionate people,” Kohli said on Star Sports’ “Cricket Connected” show.
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He added, “It will be played at a very good intensity but the feel of the crowd connecting with the players, that tension of the game, everyone feeling the tension around the stadium, those emotions are very difficult to recreate.
"So, things will still go on. But, I doubt that you will see, feel something magical happening inside because of that atmosphere. You just play the sport how it is supposed to be played but those magical moments will be very very difficult to come by.”
Earlier, Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) teammate Aaron Finch of Australia, had said it would be “weird” to play in empty stadiums. He was speaking about the prospect of playing IPL 2020 behind closed doors.
“It would be weird to play in an empty stadium, no doubt. You get so accustomed to the atmosphere of the fans who ride the momentum, especially at home with the Australian fans who support us so well. If it comes to that we'll wait and see, I saw the NBA being suspended for the near future. It’s interesting to see, not ideal obviously. A lot of people effected which is unfortunate,” the Australian limited-overs captain had said in March.
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