Vidarbha's Ranji Trophy winners Akshay Wadkar, Aditya Sarwate, and Rajneesh Gurbani postpone their marriage due to Coronavirus outbreak

The coronavirus pandemic has taken a toll on every human activity across the globe. The life-threatening virus has so far taken the lives of 1.5 lakh individuals around the world and its wrath has compelled the world to stay indoors. Talking about India, more than 15,000 people have been tested positive and more than 500 deaths have been recorded in the country.

In these trying times, most countries are under strict lockdown as the virus has put human existence in danger. All activities and important events have been put to a halt. Many people who had scheduled their marriages during this period have also been suffering due to the pandemic. The COVID-19 outbreak has certainly taken a toll on sporting events but it looks like it has also affected the personal lives of a few cricketers.

The trio of Aditya Sarwate, Akshay Wadkar and Rajneesh Gurbani, which played a key role in Vidarbha’s first-ever Ranji Trophy title win in 2018, had scheduled their marriages during this period of time. The three cricketers had decided to get married within 22 days of each other– between April 27 and May 18. However, it looks like they’ll now have to wait till the pandemic subsides.

IPL 2020 has also been postponed indefinitely due to the pandemic

After playing a vital role in Vidarbha’s triumph in Ranji Trophy 2018, the three players continued to thrive and propelled their side to their successive title in 2019. However, Vidarbha was not successful in completing a hat-trick of titles in 2018.

“We can wait till June 30 because we have no option but to see the end of the lockdown. Also, Shrutika wants the wedding to take place in a proper gathering and all the usual fanfare. And, she also wants to get decked up for the occasion,” said Akshay Wadkar to Outlook.

“My marriage was to take place on April 27, but it has been postponed because of the lockdown. After all, pandit ji, too, should be available. The new date hasn’t been finalised as the lockdown period has been extended,” said Aditya Sarwate.

“The [changed] date has not been decided. Let us see if I get married this year or the next,” said Rajneesh Gurbani, who scalped a hat-trick in the final of 2017-2018 Ranji Trophy.

The trio has been forced to postpone their marriages to abide by the social distance rule which the government has suggested. Another common factor among the three cricketers is that they all work in the same office– the Accountant General’s office in Nagpur.

The coronavirus debacle has affected many sporting events too as the much-awaited IPL 2020 has also been postponed indefinitely to tackle the pandemic. The possibility of the tournament to commence in the near future looks slim at the moment. Moreover, people have no option left but to stay isolated till things turn back to normalcy.