India head coach Ravi Shastri has advised cricket bodies to prioritise domestic and bilateral series before diving into world events. Cricket, like any other sport, has come to a grinding halt worldwide in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
“I wouldn’t put too much emphasis on world events right now,” Shastri told the Times of India on Friday.
Shastri’s comments come even as a cloud of uncertainty hangs over the T20 World Cup 2020. Reports emerged on Friday that the International Cricket Council (ICC) may consider the option of shifting the mega event when the Board meets on May 28. The tournament is scheduled in Australia from October 18 to November 15.
“Stay at home, ensure domestic cricket comes back to normal, cricketers at all levels – international, first-class etc – all get back on the field. That’s the most important bit. Second: Start with bilateral cricket,” the former India all-rounder added.
Earlier, the ICC chief executives had agreed to “collectively review” the FTP until 2023 with a “view to rescheduling” as much cricket as possible affected by the COVID-19.
“If we (India) had to choose between hosting a World Cup and a bilateral tour, obviously, we’d settle for the bilateral.
