ipl 2020: ‘Insensitive’ to belittle out-of-shape cricketers trying to ‘start normal life’ with IPL: Vijay Bharadwaj | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Former India all-rounder Vijay Bharadwaj admits that some of the Indian cricketers seen so far in IPL 2020 look out of shape, but the Karnataka man also believes that anybody making an effort to resume normal life in these unprecedented times needs backing rather than criticism.
After almost a six-month delay, the 13th edition of the IPL began in the UAE on September 19 amid the coronavirus pandemic that forced the BCCI to take the famous T20 league out of the country. The final is scheduled for November 10.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) made a winning start by defeating Mumbai Indians (MI) in the tournament opener on Saturday, but other than the excitement around the return of cricket and CSK skipper MS Dhoni, the increased abdominal girth of some of the players got the fans and some of the experts talking.
“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,” tweeted former India hockey captain Viren Rasquinha during the opening match between CSK and MI.

Before that, noted commentator Harsha Bhogle had already tweeted: “Couple of healthy waistlines today…”

All this while, Bharadwaj was doing his commentary stint with Star Sports Kannada.
Talking to Timesofindia.com on Sunday, he had a piece of advice for those pointing at the paunch.
“Everybody has gone through a tough time, so seeing this and commenting on it, saying that it doesn’t look nice, at this point of time it’s very insensitive,” said the 45-year-old Bharadwaj whose international career was cut short because of an eye operation gone wrong.
“I can see the waistline increased…but they have made an effort to start normal life, which is not easy (in the times of a pandemic).
“At this point of time, everybody needs support and motivation, not people putting others down. It’s not right. I understand the international standards and that IPL is a big tournament, but everybody is going through a tough time and we need to back each other, not criticize,” Bharadwaj further told TimesofIndia.com.

Chennai defeated Mumbai by five wickets in Abu Dhabi to open the tournament in a game that also saw some errors on the field; but Bharadwaj refuted the thought process that it had anything to do with players moving slowly due to increased weight.
“There was a lot of dew also. It will take time. It’s not easy to pick up the ball under light straight away. You might have had a few practice sessions (under lights), but it’s not the same (in match situation). It’s not an excuse, as they are used to it, (but) slowly it will get better,” said Bharadwaj.
IPL 2020: FULL LEAGUE-STAGE SCHEDULE
He also pointed at the closed-door nature of the tournament with no spectators allowed inside the stadium. As the players are not used to this, Bharadwaj suggested their motivation will also take time to come back to the same level as before March, when India went into lockdown.
“It’s not the same (when) suddenly there are no spectators to cheer for you. Your motivation levels are low. At once you want them to get into the perfect frame of mind and fitness, you are asking for too much,” he concluded.
In the second match of the tournament on Sunday, Delhi Capitals defeated Kings XI Punjab via the one-over eliminator (Super Over) after the game ended in a tie at the end of the stipulated 20 overs apiece.