While chatting with Dinesh Karthik on Instagram Live, Hardik Pandya suggested that the IPL could still happen if matches were played in empty stadiums. This came at a time when India was split, with some regions easing restrictions and others extending lockdowns beyond early May 2020 to stop the spread of the virus.
Despite Sourav Ganguly's confirmation that the BCCI wouldn't resume cricket immediately, Pandya shared his perspective on playing without crowds. He admitted the vibe would be different, but noted that in domestic competitions like the Ranji Trophy, players often perform in front of very few people. He believed that as long as the games were broadcast, fans would stay entertained. For Pandya, safety comes first, making the 'closed-door' approach a smart compromise.
To keep the momentum building for IPL 13, players from various franchises have been staying connected through online interactions. During a conversation between RCB's Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, Kohli expressed his optimism that the tournament would eventually kick off once things stabilized. Currently, the cricket boards are focusing on fitting the 2020 IPL season into the calendar before the T20 World Cup begins.