Justin Langer optimistic about T20 World Cup preparation despite IPL cancellation threat

Australia’s head coach Justin Langer is confident about his team’s preparation for the T20 World Cup despite IPL cancellation on the cards. The IPL was slated to begin from March 29 but it was pushed to April 15 due to the outbreak of coronavirus. Big Australian players like Steven Smith, David Warner, Glenn Maxwell and Pat Cummins will ply their trade in the tournament and it would have been an ideal preparation for these players for the World T20.

However, there are doubts lingering over the hosting of the IPL in this health crisis. It is well known that the best place to prepare is out there in the actual match. One can hit 1000 balls in the nets but the confidence of runs or wickets in the middle is different altogether, which gives a shot in the arm to the players.

The T20 World Cup will take place in Australia in October-November and the hosts will have the home advantage.

The Australian coach added the players were looking to play in the IPL, as it would have been a perfect way to prepare for the T20 World Cup. Langer also added that there are one or two places up for grabs in their T20I side, which is mostly settled now.

“Before this crisis started to unravel, we were absolutely determined for our guys to play the IPL,” Langer told reporters.

“Because with the T20 World Cup coming up, there’s no better grounding, no better practice, no better tournament for them to get ready for that.

“But obviously things have changed a lot. The health of not only our individual players, but also our country and India as a whole is paramount here.

“In terms of selection, I’m not too stressed about it … one or two positions in our World Cup side are up for grabs. It’s a very, very settled team. We played great cricket against South Africa.”

There are question marks hanging on the future of IPL and at the present situation, it is expected that it might not happen. The IPL is the best T20 league around the world and all the players look forward to playing in the tourney with all the zest.

The T20 World Cup is all set to begin from 18 October in Australia whereas the Super 12 will take place from 24 October. Every team wants to prepare in the best possible way for the mega event and if the IPL doesn’t take place, it will affect all the team’s preparations in many ways.