Pandemic will start hitting Indian cricket more in October: Rahul Dravid

Former India skipper Rahul Dravid is of the opinion that the real effect of COVID-19 on Indian cricket will be felt in October when the domestic season starts. Dravid is currently holding the position of Director of Cricket Operations at National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru,

Hundreds of domestic cricketers are still uncertain about their future as the NCA, headed by Dravid, is yet to resume operations following the nationwide lockdown like all state associations, which have either indefinitely postponed or cancelled their tournaments.

“We’ve been lucky so far [that the pandemic started in March towards the end of BCCI’s domestic season], but come October, things might start getting stressful,” Dravid told Deccan Herald in a webinar.

He opined that the domestic season which is a key for youngsters starts in October and that’s when the real problems start.

“A few international tournaments have been canceled and repositioned, and people can always find time and place for that, but once October comes around, that’s when I think it’ll start hitting us more. The next domestic season, for a lot of our young domestic players – juniors, Under-16s, Under-19s and women cricketers – start in October,” Dravid added.

This year is probably important for someone in his final year of U19s: Rahul Dravid

The 47-year-old added that this season is really important for someone who is in the final years of his Under-19 and suggested that the BCCI should prioritize tournaments that it wishes to conduct and consider a schedule that can be accommodated to have a curtailed domestic season.

“If we aren’t able to get back to a level of normalcy from then – it could take longer – we’ll see the real impact on our domestic cricket and grassroots cricket. This year is probably more important for someone in his final year of Under-19s than say for someone who is 23-24.”

Dravid had earlier said that the bio-secure bubble plan that the England Cricket Board is carrying out might not be possible in many countries. International cricket resumed in July when England hosted the West Indies for a series of three Tests. The upcoming 13th edition of the Indian Premier League will be the head restart to Indian cricket, which is all set to be played in the United Arab Emirates from September 19.