IPL 2020 | Have full faith in my body to fight Covid, insists Shikhar Dhawan

09/07/2020

Shikhar Dhawan has asserted that he has full faith in his body and is confident that even if he gets infected by Covid-19, he will recover from it. Dhawan feels that traveling less will help the players recover fast, while lack of interaction with the outer world, will help them stay focused.

Despite strict implementations of safety rules for the upcoming IPL, which is slated to start from September 19, it has had quite a few hurdles until now with various members of the BCCI and IPL franchises testing positive for the novel Coronavirus. This has led to questions regarding BCCI's preparedness and whether it would be adequate enough for conducting the cash-rich league. There is also a big question about the safety of players, who have to go through mandatory quarantines and testing, in order to ensure everyone remains healthy.

India opener Shikhar Dhawan, who will ply his trade for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2020, insisted that he has full faith in his body to overcome the deadly virus even if he gets infected by it. The southpaw, however, added that the players will be taking the guidelines seriously and will follow everything to the T.

“I have full faith in my body, was never apprehensive about playing. I know I can still get the disease but I can fight it. But we are definitely following the safety guidelines, we have undergone the Covid test almost 8-9 times. We have to keep wearing a specific badge, our movements are restricted. It’s a huge thing that the BCCI is able to organise the tournament in this situation,” Dhawan said.

On the face of it, there’s hardly any benefit that the players will have from the restricted operation of IPL, but the senior batsman opined that it will also have its own benefits. He pointed out that not traveling much this season will be helpful for players to recover quickly and also, they will be secluded from all the distractions, due to safety protocols. The dashing opener added that the Delhi-based franchise have a balanced squad this season and he is confident of lifting the trophy with them.

“The advantage of less traveling is that the body will tire less, the recovery will be good. But when a player is faring well or doing badly there will be no outlet as he is not allowed to go outside and divert his mind. We have to be mentally very strong.

“It’s important we bond together and create that energy. We have a very balanced side and confident we will take the cup,” he said.