• Thursday, March 28, 2024

sportsnews

Will miss the ‘magical’ buzz of playing in packed stadiums, says Kohli

India’s captain Virat Kohli celebrates after victory in the 2019 Cricket World Cup group stage match between India and Australia at The Oval in London on June 9, 2019. (Photo by Dibyangshu SARKAR / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo credit should read DIBYANGSHU SARKAR/AFP via Getty Images)

By: AswathyNair

The magical atmosphere will be missing if the cricket season currently stalled by the Covid-19 pandemic resumes in empty stadiums, India captain Virat Kohli has said.

The spread of the novel coronavirus has brought sport to a standstill and staging games without spectators has been suggested as one way to resume professional cricket.

“Things will still go on, but I doubt that one will feel that magic happening inside because of the atmosphere that was created,” Kohli said on Star Sports’ Cricket Connected Show.

“We will play sports how it is supposed to be played, but those magical moments will be difficult to come by.”

India are set to visit Australia for four tests and three one-day internationals later this year, games which are likely to be played in empty stadiums.

England all-rounder Ben Stokes said playing without fans in attendance would not dampen the competitive side of matches and Kohli agrees.

“I know matches will be played at a very good intensity but that feeling of the crowd connecting with the players and the tension of the game where everyone goes through it in the stadium, those emotions are difficult to recreate,” he said.

Related Stories