Former India hockey captain Viren Rasquinha shocked at cricketers’ low fitness levels in the IPL 2020

On Saturday, September 19, the Indian Premier League (IPL) kickstarted in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It’s the second major T20 league to be played after the coronavirus pandemic hit the world around the month of March. The players had to go through a massive break, spending times with their loved ones at their residence during the lockdown period across the country.

At a time when even the gyms closed down, players had their challenges while maintaining fitness and staying shape. In the meantime, Viren Rasquinha, the former captain of the Indian hockey team, slammed the cricketers in the IPL for their low levels of fitness. He felt that those players may not be able to survive the rigours of any other physical sport.

He took to Twitter and wrote, “I have never played more than gully cricket but I am pretty shocked to see some players in the #IPL2020 looking so unfit. I can’t think of another physical sport where players at the highest level could cope with these fitness levels.”

Here’s the tweet

I have never played more than gully cricket but I am pretty shocked to see some players in the #IPL2020 looking so unfit. I can’t think of another physical sport where players at the highest level could cope with these fitness levels.

— Viren Rasquinha (@virenrasquinha) September 19, 2020

CSK wins IPL opener

The IPL got off to a decent start courtesy a thrilling encounter between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. After CSK won the toss and elected to field, Rohit Sharma’s met got off to an impressive start with a 46-run stand for the opening wicket between the skipper and Quinton de Kock.

Saurabh Tiwary also chipped in with 42 useful runs. But CSK made a strong comeback and restricted MI to 162 for nine in 20 overs. During the run-chase, the Super Kings found themselves in all sorts of trouble after Shane Watson and Murali Vijay perished to Trent Boult and James Pattinson respectively. Nevertheless, Ambati Rayudu and Faf du Plessis had other ideas.

The duo put on 115 runs for the third wicket, dragging CSK ever so close to victory. Though Rayudu got out after scoring 71, Du Plessis stayed unbeaten on 58 and also hit the winning runs. Sam Curran’s 6-ball 18 also helped CSK’s cause. CSK’ second game is on September 22 against the Rajasthan Royals in Sharjah.