India and Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli understands “the privilege” of being able to play cricket amid a raging pandemic and wants all IPL participants to respect the tournament’s biosafety bubble. Speaking on RCB’s YouTube show “Bold Diaries,” the 31-year-old said he did not exactly miss the game during the COVID forced shutdown, which halted sports action. “Maybe because I’ve been playing day and night for the last 10 years … It was a revelation for me in that my focus was not just on missing the game all the time,” Kohli said.
Up close and personal to Virat Kohli, who talks about returning to the cricket field after a long break, the feeling of welcoming a third member to his clan, and much more! #PlayBold # IPL2020 #WeAreChallengershttps://t.co/mdWo6rbdh8
– Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) September 1, 2020
Now that he is preparing to return to action with the IPL, starting on September 19 in the United Arab Emirates, Kohli said that the BCCI Standard Operating Procedure and bio-bubble restrictions should not be negotiable for all participants.
“We are all here to play cricket … The biobubble needs to be respected at all times for the tournament to happen eventually. We are not here to have fun and wander and you know how to say ‘I want to hang out in Dubai,'” Kohli said.
“That is not the time we are living in. Accept the phase that we are going through and understand the privilege we have, just to be part of the IPL. Everyone must accept that and not behave in a way that the situation does not.” I don’t demand them, “he said.
Speaking of returning to the game after five months, Kohli said it didn’t take him long to find his rhythm.
“A couple of months ago, you couldn’t imagine you would have IPL in the first place … When we had our practice session yesterday, I realized how much time has passed. As I was heading to the practice session, I felt nervous.” granted.
“I felt a little nervous, but things were good. I didn’t miss the game as much as I thought I could … getting on with my life was important too,” he said.
Kohli credited the team’s support staff, led by team principal Mike Hesson, for making everyone understand what was at stake while at the same time not pushing them.
“Culture will not change because of individual preferences,” he said.
On the tournament being played without fans in the stadium due to bio-bubble restrictions, Kohli said it would be strange at first, but that eventually the players will adjust to the sensation.
“I wouldn’t say it won’t be difficult, strange. The echo of the bat hitting the ball, I haven’t experienced it in the last 10 years. The Ranji Trophy was the last time. But we’ve done it at some point in our lives,” he said referring to to domestic games played in almost empty places.
“The crowd factor will definitely play a role, but instincts will kick in and wane pretty quickly,” he added.
Instinctive celebrations on the pitch will also be restricted due to health and safety protocols. Kohli reiterated that everyone has no choice but to adapt.
“There has to be a balance. You can’t go crazy. We can’t be like children sent to a park,” he joked.
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The star cricketer, who will welcome his first child in January with actor’s wife Anushka Sharma, said he has been on the moon since he found out.
“It’s an incredible feeling. It puts things in perspective for you. It’s hard to describe how you feel,” he said.
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