‘It will be very interesting’: CSK’s Suresh Raina outlines challenges ahead of IPL 2020

With the 13th version of Indian Premier League set to start from September 18th within the UAE, Chennai Super Kings’ all-rounder Suresh Raina believes that the season will pose much more challenges for the gamers and the groups than common.The IPL matches will be held in three venues within the UAE – Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah – from September 19 to November 10 amid COVID-19 protocols laid down by the ICC and BCCI.

“This IPL would be very interesting to see how the players are thinking. You are playing in different circumstances and you have a lot of protocol from ICC and at the same time you are going to go through (COVID-19) tests every two-three weeks,” Raina stated in a webinar after being named as the worldwide model ambassador for WTF Sports app.

IPL 2020 Full protection

According to BCCI’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), the Indian gamers and assist workers will need to return detrimental for COVID-19 a minimum of 5 instances earlier than they begin coaching within the UAE and subsequently will be examined each fifth day throughout the IPL. “So, I would say coming out from all those tests you need to be clear with your head on what you are going to do on the field because at the end of the day when you are playing a sport, you need to enjoy the game,” Raina stated.

The left-handed batsman went on so as to add that for gamers collaborating within the IPL, sustaining health would be a key concern amid the pandemic. “In this pandemic, a lot of challenges have happened (for the players) and fitness is the key. Luckily, we are going early to the UAE. I believe, this all tests will be done before the IPL and we will be in a good frame of mind because we all are sitting at home from last five months and it will be interesting to see how we fare on the field,” he stated.

Raina added that he’s eagerly on the lookout for the season to start. “Everyone is going to enjoy the game and when you will enjoy the game you will have the best sporting event. I’m looking forward to it.”

Raina has performed 193 IPL video games and amassed 5386 runs. The 33-year-old CSK veteran believes pitches within the UAE are just like Chennai and it augurs effectively for the group.

(With PTI inputs)