'IPL is a terrific tournament' - Steve Smith reveals he will pick IPL 2020 over domestic cricket

The sporting scenario across the world has been in doldrums since the start of COVID-19 outbreak. Along with human existence, the pandemic has wreaked havoc on all sporting events as major tournaments have been postponed in the wake of the coronavirus debacle.

Things are expected to get back on track in the near future once the pandemic subsides. However, at the moment, there’s a lot of uncertainty over the commencement of tournaments including the much-awaited IPL 2020.

Several reports have suggested that the cash-rich league could be scheduled in September-October or in October-November window. The BCCI is hoping to stage the league in the third quarter of the year as T20 World Cup in Australia is on the verge of getting postponed.

However, a few Australian players could very much miss IPL 2020 if it gets hosted in the abovementioned timespan. It is the same time when Cricket Australia’s 2020/21 season commences and hence, the players will have to decide if they want to travel India or stay back home.

‘Players are just doing what we’re told’: Steve Smith

Meanwhile, Steve Smith, who plays for New South Wales in domestic cricket, has confirmed that he will choose the IPL over domestic cricket. The right-hander heaped praise on the quality of the league and termed the IPL as a ‘terrific’ tournament.

“I think when you’re playing for your country at a World Cup, that’s the pinnacle for one-day or T20 cricket, so of course I’d prefer to play in that. But if that doesn’t happen and the IPL’s there, and they postpone it, then so be it.

IPL’s a terrific tournament as a domestic tournament. So that’s out of everyone’s control at the moment, players are just doing what we’re told and going where we need to go and playing whatever’s on at that stage,” said Smith as quoted by Times Now.

Smith’s participation in the IPL would mean that his domestic side, New South Wales, the defending champions, will miss the Australian’s services in the Sheffield Shield. It’s not the first time when the prolific batsman has confirmed his availability for the IPL.

Earlier in March, Smith had claimed that he would like to play in the IPL. However, the tournament failed to commence after it was postponed indefinitely due to the current situation across the globe. India, on Monday, entered the fifth phase of lockdown and it’s expected that the BCCI will soon make an announcement regarding the feasibility of the IPL 2020.