The all-powerful ICC Board on Friday discussed various contingency plans for its flagship tournaments, including World T20 and World Test Championship in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic that has brought cricket to a standstill. BCCI president Sourav Ganguly was India’s representative when it was being speculated that a former Board president would attend the meeting, held via video conference.

The sporting world has been under complete lockdown and several bilateral Test series under World Test Championship also run the risk of being cancelled. “The impact of the pandemic on the sport globally was discussed,” an ICC release stated.

ICC Chief Executive Manu Sawhney said, “We continue to undertake a comprehensive business continuity and contingency planning exercise which will allow us to adapt to the rapidly evolving world in which we find ourselves.” While no decisions were taken as any shifting of tournament or change of dates involves gigantic logistical exercise which needs meticulous planning at every stage.

“The ICC management will continue our contingency planning around ICC events and will also work with Members to explore all options available to us based on a range of scenarios connected to the pandemic.” When a Board member was asked what happens if England, which is due to host Pakistan and West Indies at home is unable to do so, he said the matter of points allocation will be referred to the technical committee.

“It can’t happen unless an amicable solution is reached. You might have India playing six series and perched at top and England get to play three due to lockdown and tight FTP schedule. You need a solution to distribution of points and matter should be referred to the technical committee,” a representative of a member told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

A couple of Board members felt that World T20 in Australia is not under threat as October is still some time away. “If things are under control from June, we can then work on a specific contingency plan. Right now, ICC would be working on various plans and would come up with their proposals in course of time,” the senior official said.

The Board also approved th audited financial statements for 2019 and the final accounts for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2019. The local organizing committee of Women’s World T20 was thanked for conducting a successful tournament.

The all-powerful ICC Board on Friday discussed various contingency plans for its flagship tournaments, including World T20 and World Test Championship in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic that has brought cricket to a standstill.

The all-powerful ICC Board on Friday discussed various contingency plans for its flagship tournaments, including World T20 and World Test Championship in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic that has brought cricket to a standstill. BCCI president Sourav Ganguly was India’s representative when it was being speculated that a former Board president would attend the meeting, held via video conference. The sporting world has been under complete lockdown and several bilateral Test series under World Test Championship also run the risk of being cancelled. “The impact of the pandemic on the sport globally was discussed,” an ICC release stated. ICC Chief Executive Manu Sawhney said, “We continue to undertake a comprehensive business continuity and contingency planning exercise which will allow us to adapt to the rapidly evolving world in which we find ourselves.” While no decisions were taken as any shifting of tournament or change of dates involves gigantic logistical exercise which needs meticulous planning at every stage. “The ICC management will continue our contingency planning around ICC events and will also work with Members to explore all options available to us based on a range of scenarios connected to the pandemic.” When a Board member was asked what happens if England, which is due to host Pakistan and West Indies at home is unable to do so, he said the matter of points allocation will be referred to the technical committee. “It can’t happen unless an amicable solution is reached. You might have India playing six series and perched at top and England get to play three due to lockdown and tight FTP schedule. You need a solution to distribution of points and matter should be referred to the technical committee,” a representative of a member told PTI on conditions of anonymity. A couple of Board members felt that World T20 in Australia is not under threat as October is still some time away. “If things are under control from June, we can then work on a specific contingency plan. Right now, ICC would be working on various plans and would come up with their proposals in course of time,” the senior official said. The Board also approved th audited financial statements for 2019 and the final accounts for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2019. The local organizing committee of Women’s World T20 was thanked for conducting a successful tournament.

ICC Board discusses contingency plan, Sourav Ganguly represented BCCI

The entire footballing world was left shocked when Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was tested positive for COVID-19. Since contracting the deadly virus, Arteta has made a complete recovery while admitting there were times when he feared the worst circumstances.

Arteta contracting COVID-19 pushed English FA in postponing the Premier League for a few matches before suspending the entire league until further notice in the wake of the pandemic. Opening up on his time in self-isolation, Arteta said he felt something inside him when Arsenal made them know that the players and staff may have gotten exposed to the virus because of Olympiacos’ owner.

"I am feeling completely recovered [now]," the Spaniard said. "It’s true I started having some symptoms when we got the phone call from the club to let us know that we might be exposed to the virus because of the owner of Olympiacos and in that moment…I don’t know, I felt something within me, that I had it,” Arteta told the club’s website.&nbsp;

Arteta’s next match was supposed to be against Manchester City, where he was Pep Guardiola’s assistant a few months back. But since showing symptoms, Arteta decided not to take any risk and isolate himself from the rest. The match was eventually postponed.

ALSO READ:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/remember-these-titans-indian-athletes-on-cop-duty-amid-covid-19-lockdown-288959">&nbsp;Remember these Titans: Indian athletes on cop duty amid COVID-19 lockdown</a>

"We had a game the following day against Manchester City, so I made a decision and called the doctor straight away and I asked him to drive home. I spoke with Raul, Edu, Vinai, Huss and we set up a meeting together and I said, ‘Listen, we have a couple of players that have been exposed. There is a massive risk there and as well I am the first one feeling the symptoms, very clear symptoms. So if that is the case, all of the players and the people related to the club who are in contact with me on a daily basis are exposed. So we cannot make that decision, we have to speak to the Premier League&nbsp;to Manchester City and we have to make the decision pretty quickly.'

"Then you realise, 'Wow, everybody can be exposed here, this is very serious' and you start to think about the people that you've been in contact with and the other people that can be related to us. That's when a bit of fear comes,” Arteta said.&nbsp;

Arteta further gave an insight of the symptoms, initial stages with fever and dry cough along with chest discomfort as he said he was more worried about his wife and kids while adding everyone is fine now and that is a big relief.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/man-utd-to-offer-refunds-season-ticket-delay-to-fans-amid-covid-19-pandemic-288949">Man Utd to offer refunds, season ticket delay to fans amid COVID-19 pandemic</a>

"In terms of symptoms, it was a normal virus for me. I had three or four days which were a little bit difficult, with a bit of a temperature and a dry cough, and some discomfort in my chest. That was it.

"The difficulty is that I have people at home, three kids as well and I was worried. My missus has been through it and my nanny's been through it. Thank God, the kids never got it. We are all completely fine now." 
&nbsp;

The entire footballing world was left shocked when Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was tested positive for COVID-19. Since contracting the deadly virus, Arteta has made a complete recovery while admitting there were times when he feared the worst circumstances.

The entire footballing world was left shocked when Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was tested positive for COVID-19. Since contracting the deadly virus, Arteta has made a complete recovery while admitting there were times when he feared the worst circumstances. Arteta contracting COVID-19 pushed English FA in postponing the Premier League for a few matches before suspending the entire league until further notice in the wake of the pandemic. Opening up on his time in self-isolation, Arteta said he felt something inside him when Arsenal made them know that the players and staff may have gotten exposed to the virus because of Olympiacos’ owner. "I am feeling completely recovered [now]," the Spaniard said. "It’s true I started having some symptoms when we got the phone call from the club to let us know that we might be exposed to the virus because of the owner of Olympiacos and in that moment…I don’t know, I felt something within me, that I had it,” Arteta told the club’s website. Arteta’s next match was supposed to be against Manchester City, where he was Pep Guardiola’s assistant a few months back. But since showing symptoms, Arteta decided not to take any risk and isolate himself from the rest. The match was eventually postponed. ALSO READ: Remember these Titans: Indian athletes on cop duty amid COVID-19 lockdown "We had a game the following day against Manchester City, so I made a decision and called the doctor straight away and I asked him to drive home. I spoke with Raul, Edu, Vinai, Huss and we set up a meeting together and I said, ‘Listen, we have a couple of players that have been exposed. There is a massive risk there and as well I am the first one feeling the symptoms, very clear symptoms. So if that is the case, all of the players and the people related to the club who are in contact with me on a daily basis are exposed. So we cannot make that decision, we have to speak to the Premier League to Manchester City and we have to make the decision pretty quickly.' "Then you realise, 'Wow, everybody can be exposed here, this is very serious' and you start to think about the people that you've been in contact with and the other people that can be related to us. That's when a bit of fear comes,” Arteta said. Arteta further gave an insight of the symptoms, initial stages with fever and dry cough along with chest discomfort as he said he was more worried about his wife and kids while adding everyone is fine now and that is a big relief. ALSO READ: Man Utd to offer refunds, season ticket delay to fans amid COVID-19 pandemic "In terms of symptoms, it was a normal virus for me. I had three or four days which were a little bit difficult, with a bit of a temperature and a dry cough, and some discomfort in my chest. That was it. "The difficulty is that I have people at home, three kids as well and I was worried. My missus has been through it and my nanny's been through it. Thank God, the kids never got it. We are all completely fine now."

'The difficulty is...' - Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta shares first-hand insights on COVID-19 symptoms

Indian skipper Virat Kohli has time and again spread awareness surrounding the COVID-19 through his social media handles. On Friday, Kohli once again took to micro-blogging platform Twitter to warn the citizens of India about the seriousness of novel coronavirus.&nbsp;

Kohli posted a video on Twitter in which he said that it is not at all good to see people moving in groups and not abiding by the lockdown guidelines. Kohli added that some people are taking this fight against the novel coronavirus very lightly while alarming them that it is not as easy as it looks or feels.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/remember-these-titans-indian-athletes-on-cop-duty-amid-covid-19-lockdown-288959">Remember these Titans: Indian athletes on cop duty amid COVID-19 lockdown</a>

Kohli captioned his video: Please wake up to the reality and seriousness of the situation and take responsibility. The nation needs our support and honesty.”

"Hello, I am Virat Kohli. Today I am speaking to you not as an India player, but as a citizen of the country. What I have seen in the last few days -- people moving in groups, not abiding by curfew rules, not following lockdown guidelines -- it shows that we are taking the fight very lightly. But this fight is not as easy as it looks or feels," Kohli said in the video.

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Please wake up to the reality and seriousness of the situation and take responsibility. The nation needs our support and honesty. <a href="https://t.co/ZvOb0qgwIV">pic.twitter.com/ZvOb0qgwIV</a>
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) <a href="https://twitter.com/imVkohli/status/1243501019213918208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2020</a></blockquote>
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ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/the-difficulty-is-arsenal-manager-mikel-arteta-shares-first-hand-insights-on-symptoms-288983">'The difficulty is...' - Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta shares first-hand insights on symptoms</a>

Meanwhile, with the sporting calendar coming to a grinding halt, sportspersons have been motivating their fans and followers in social media as India continues to be in lockdown amid COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;

Many athletes have come forward and donated their bit in a bid to fight against the deadly virus while others posted videos to urge everyone to remain indoors.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Indian skipper Virat Kohli has time and again spread awareness surrounding the COVID-19 through his social media handles. On Friday, Kohli once again took to micro-blogging platform Twitter to warn the citizens of India about the seriousness of novel coronavirus.

Indian skipper Virat Kohli has time and again spread awareness surrounding the COVID-19 through his social media handles. On Friday, Kohli once again took to micro-blogging platform Twitter to warn the citizens of India about the seriousness of novel coronavirus. Kohli posted a video on Twitter in which he said that it is not at all good to see people moving in groups and not abiding by the lockdown guidelines. Kohli added that some people are taking this fight against the novel coronavirus very lightly while alarming them that it is not as easy as it looks or feels. ALSO READ: Remember these Titans: Indian athletes on cop duty amid COVID-19 lockdown Kohli captioned his video: Please wake up to the reality and seriousness of the situation and take responsibility. The nation needs our support and honesty.” "Hello, I am Virat Kohli. Today I am speaking to you not as an India player, but as a citizen of the country. What I have seen in the last few days -- people moving in groups, not abiding by curfew rules, not following lockdown guidelines -- it shows that we are taking the fight very lightly. But this fight is not as easy as it looks or feels," Kohli said in the video. Please wake up to the reality and seriousness of the situation and take responsibility. The nation needs our support and honesty. pic.twitter.com/ZvOb0qgwIV — Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) March 27, 2020 × ALSO READ: 'The difficulty is...' - Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta shares first-hand insights on symptoms Meanwhile, with the sporting calendar coming to a grinding halt, sportspersons have been motivating their fans and followers in social media as India continues to be in lockdown amid COVID-19 pandemic. Many athletes have come forward and donated their bit in a bid to fight against the deadly virus while others posted videos to urge everyone to remain indoors.

WATCH: 'Wake up & take responsibility' - Virat Kohli appeals Indian citizens to stay at home amid COVID-19 lockdown

They were at the forefront of pursuing glory for the nation as athletes and now some Indian sporting heroes are playing a key role in the raging battle against the COVID-19 pandemic -- manning the streets as police officers persuading people to stay home amid a national lockdown.

T20 World Cup-winning cricketer Joginder Sharma, Commonwealth Games gold medal-winning boxer Akhil Kumar and Asian Games champion kabaddi player Ajay Thakur have one thing in common. They are all full-time police officers, jobs which they got thanks to their sporting accomplishments.

Speaking to PTI, Sharma and Kumar, both Haryana Police officers and good friends, listed the challenges that come with "doing duty" during an unprecedented crisis.

"I have been a DSP since 2007. This is one of a kind challenge for me as a police officer because of the general fear and I can tell you that I have seen quite a few challenges in my years of service," said Sharma, the all-rounder who immortalised himself with the trophy-winning final over against Pakistan in the 2007 T20 World Cup summit clash in South Africa.

<img alt="Joginder Sharma" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3a38ebc1-6655-47ee-b44f-037098d8f240" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/joginder-sharma.jpg" />

The 36-year-old is currently posted in Hisar as the nation observes a 21-day lockdown till April 14 to combat the pandemic, which has killed more than 24,000 globally.

"Our duty time starts around 6am and we do patrolling, making people aware, send those who are out for fun to their homes, help those in need of essentials or medical aid and take action against those who try to defy without any good reason," Sharma said giving a rundown of his average day. 
Serving with the Gurugram Police as ACP since September last year is Kumar, the flamboyant bantamweight boxer, whose perilously low guard at the peak of his career became the style statement that many in Indian boxing continue to try and emulate.

"People are generally cooperative and in any case, essential services are being kept open so there is not much panic. I believe only a strict enforcement of lockdown will be able to halt this virus. People are slowly understanding this," said the 2006 CWG gold-medallist, who turned 38 on Friday, a working birthday for him.

<img alt="Akhil Kumar" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0bc4ea2d-a35d-4d99-9610-c7e938754c7c" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/akhil-1-1280x720.jpg" />

The two-time Olympian and Arjuna awardee has also been pooling money with his colleagues, including another boxer-turned-policeman Jitender Kumar, to buy essential food items and sanitizers for the underprivileged.

Jitender, an Asian bronze-medallist, is posted in Rewari.

"We are trying our best. Those who can afford to stay inside can and must but there are those who cannot. Our effort is to ensure that we reach out to as many of such people as possible," Kumar said.

"Hum zameen se jude hain, humein pata hai bhookh kya hoti hai (We are people who have come up after lot of struggle, we know what it means to be hungry)," he added.

Thakur, who was bestowed the Arjuna award and the Padma Shri last year, is a DSP in Himachal Pradesh Police and has been in service since 2017.

The 2014 Asian Games gold-medallist was recently seen patrolling the streets of Bilaspur and has been raising awareness about the health crisis through video messages on his instagram page, which has over two lakh followers.

While being on guard for others, these men in uniform also have to ensure that they remain safe themselves.

"...We carry masks, gloves and sanitizers for our own protection but for us the best protection is if people don't come out on streets unnecessarily," said Sharma.

"My family is in Rohtak, they are always worried for me. My wife and children call me all the time and talk about taking precautions. I salute my wife for managing the house at this time while I am here doing my duty," he added.

Sharma said he has been in Hisar for a few years now and his status of being a World Cup-winner comes in handy while counselling people.

"They respect me for my achievement and sometimes it helps my work when they see my nameplate. When I tell people to not crowd markets for cheap deals, they adhere. I tell them how costly it would be if they catch this infection, that they should not risk a deadly disease for saving a few bucks," said the former all-rounder.

Kumar, on the other hand, favoured tough action against wilful violators.

"There are some who genuinely don't know but there are others who come out despite knowing what it means. I think they should be dealt with sternly, that's the only language they understand," he asserted.

Sharma said most of such wilful violators are youngsters, complaining of boredom.

"I reach out to their parents. That's the best way to make them understand because they are a little unaware of the gravity of the situation," he said. 
Being sportspersons, lessons in patience have been learnt aplenty and that helps them deal with the "frustrations".

"Sewa, Suraksha aur Sahyog (service, security and cooperation) is our force's motto. We are trying to deliver all," said Kumar.

They were at the forefront of pursuing glory for the nation as athletes and now some Indian sporting heroes are playing a key role in the raging battle against the COVID-19 pandemic -- manning the streets as police officers persuading people to stay home amid a national lockdown.

They were at the forefront of pursuing glory for the nation as athletes and now some Indian sporting heroes are playing a key role in the raging battle against the COVID-19 pandemic -- manning the streets as police officers persuading people to stay home amid a national lockdown. T20 World Cup-winning cricketer Joginder Sharma, Commonwealth Games gold medal-winning boxer Akhil Kumar and Asian Games champion kabaddi player Ajay Thakur have one thing in common. They are all full-time police officers, jobs which they got thanks to their sporting accomplishments. Speaking to PTI, Sharma and Kumar, both Haryana Police officers and good friends, listed the challenges that come with "doing duty" during an unprecedented crisis. "I have been a DSP since 2007. This is one of a kind challenge for me as a police officer because of the general fear and I can tell you that I have seen quite a few challenges in my years of service," said Sharma, the all-rounder who immortalised himself with the trophy-winning final over against Pakistan in the 2007 T20 World Cup summit clash in South Africa. The 36-year-old is currently posted in Hisar as the nation observes a 21-day lockdown till April 14 to combat the pandemic, which has killed more than 24,000 globally. "Our duty time starts around 6am and we do patrolling, making people aware, send those who are out for fun to their homes, help those in need of essentials or medical aid and take action against those who try to defy without any good reason," Sharma said giving a rundown of his average day. Serving with the Gurugram Police as ACP since September last year is Kumar, the flamboyant bantamweight boxer, whose perilously low guard at the peak of his career became the style statement that many in Indian boxing continue to try and emulate. "People are generally cooperative and in any case, essential services are being kept open so there is not much panic. I believe only a strict enforcement of lockdown will be able to halt this virus. People are slowly understanding this," said the 2006 CWG gold-medallist, who turned 38 on Friday, a working birthday for him. The two-time Olympian and Arjuna awardee has also been pooling money with his colleagues, including another boxer-turned-policeman Jitender Kumar, to buy essential food items and sanitizers for the underprivileged. Jitender, an Asian bronze-medallist, is posted in Rewari. "We are trying our best. Those who can afford to stay inside can and must but there are those who cannot. Our effort is to ensure that we reach out to as many of such people as possible," Kumar said. "Hum zameen se jude hain, humein pata hai bhookh kya hoti hai (We are people who have come up after lot of struggle, we know what it means to be hungry)," he added. Thakur, who was bestowed the Arjuna award and the Padma Shri last year, is a DSP in Himachal Pradesh Police and has been in service since 2017. The 2014 Asian Games gold-medallist was recently seen patrolling the streets of Bilaspur and has been raising awareness about the health crisis through video messages on his instagram page, which has over two lakh followers. While being on guard for others, these men in uniform also have to ensure that they remain safe themselves. "...We carry masks, gloves and sanitizers for our own protection but for us the best protection is if people don't come out on streets unnecessarily," said Sharma. "My family is in Rohtak, they are always worried for me. My wife and children call me all the time and talk about taking precautions. I salute my wife for managing the house at this time while I am here doing my duty," he added. Sharma said he has been in Hisar for a few years now and his status of being a World Cup-winner comes in handy while counselling people. "They respect me for my achievement and sometimes it helps my work when they see my nameplate. When I tell people to not crowd markets for cheap deals, they adhere. I tell them how costly it would be if they catch this infection, that they should not risk a deadly disease for saving a few bucks," said the former all-rounder. Kumar, on the other hand, favoured tough action against wilful violators. "There are some who genuinely don't know but there are others who come out despite knowing what it means. I think they should be dealt with sternly, that's the only language they understand," he asserted. Sharma said most of such wilful violators are youngsters, complaining of boredom. "I reach out to their parents. That's the best way to make them understand because they are a little unaware of the gravity of the situation," he said. Being sportspersons, lessons in patience have been learnt aplenty and that helps them deal with the "frustrations". "Sewa, Suraksha aur Sahyog (service, security and cooperation) is our force's motto. We are trying to deliver all," said Kumar.

Remember these Titans: Indian athletes on cop duty amid COVID-19 lockdown

While India continues to fight against the deadly COVID-19 amid a nationwide lockdown, sportspersons have come forward in a bid to keep motivating everyone during tough times. Former World Cup-winning Indian captain, Kapil Dev has shared a heartfelt message for everyone as he urged the citizen to stay at home and help the authorities to fight against the deadly novel coronavirus.&nbsp;

Dev further motivated everyone by saying that there’s an entire world inside your home as a person can spend time by reading books, watching TV and listening to music while adding the best way to enjoy is by interacting with family members.&nbsp;

“You are supposed to stay at home. So, stay at home. It is the least one can do to help the competent and relevant authorities to fight this life-threatening virus,” Dev told a leading daily.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/remember-these-titans-indian-athletes-on-cop-duty-amid-covid-19-lockdown-288959">Remember these Titans: Indian athletes on cop duty amid COVID-19 lockdown</a>

He further said: “It can be taken in a positive way. Lockdown or Stay at Home. You have to challenge yourself to accept this situation. You have the world inside your home - your family. You have means of entertaining yourself - books, TV, music. Best is the interaction you have with your family members.”

Explaining how he is spending his time during the 21-day lockdown period, Dev said that he is contributing in keeping his house clean and spending time with his family, something he missed in the last years.&nbsp;

“I sweep the house, clean the garden. My little garden is now my golf course also. I am getting to spend so much time with my family. Something that I had missed in the last so many years,” he said

“I give the cook a break and cook for everyone. I take turns to do the dishes. I had learnt all this while playing in England when Romi (his wife) would join me.”&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/sachin-tendulkar-steps-forward-again-donates-rs-50-lakh-to-fight-covid-19-288859">Sachin Tendulkar steps forward again, donates Rs 50 lakh to fight COVID-19</a>

An inspiring captain during his playing days and even more inspiring now, Dev further said that India’s strength lies in its culture while adding the nation will win this battle by staying together and helping everyone by staying indoors.&nbsp;

“I always believe in being positive. In cricket you get out for zero after scoring a century in the preceding innings. You end up wicketless after having done your best in the previous spells.”

“I have read and heard how the human race has fought and set examples when dealing with a crisis. India’s strength lies in our culture - looking after each other and caring for elders. We have to look to help the seniors. I know we will win this battle by staying together and strengthening the hands of our government and doctors by staying indoors.”&nbsp;

While India continues to fight against the deadly COVID-19 amid a nationwide lockdown, sportspersons have come forward in a bid to keep motivating everyone during tough times.

While India continues to fight against the deadly COVID-19 amid a nationwide lockdown, sportspersons have come forward in a bid to keep motivating everyone during tough times. Former World Cup-winning Indian captain, Kapil Dev has shared a heartfelt message for everyone as he urged the citizen to stay at home and help the authorities to fight against the deadly novel coronavirus. Dev further motivated everyone by saying that there’s an entire world inside your home as a person can spend time by reading books, watching TV and listening to music while adding the best way to enjoy is by interacting with family members. “You are supposed to stay at home. So, stay at home. It is the least one can do to help the competent and relevant authorities to fight this life-threatening virus,” Dev told a leading daily. ALSO READ: Remember these Titans: Indian athletes on cop duty amid COVID-19 lockdown He further said: “It can be taken in a positive way. Lockdown or Stay at Home. You have to challenge yourself to accept this situation. You have the world inside your home - your family. You have means of entertaining yourself - books, TV, music. Best is the interaction you have with your family members.” Explaining how he is spending his time during the 21-day lockdown period, Dev said that he is contributing in keeping his house clean and spending time with his family, something he missed in the last years. “I sweep the house, clean the garden. My little garden is now my golf course also. I am getting to spend so much time with my family. Something that I had missed in the last so many years,” he said “I give the cook a break and cook for everyone. I take turns to do the dishes. I had learnt all this while playing in England when Romi (his wife) would join me.” ALSO READ: Sachin Tendulkar steps forward again, donates Rs 50 lakh to fight COVID-19 An inspiring captain during his playing days and even more inspiring now, Dev further said that India’s strength lies in its culture while adding the nation will win this battle by staying together and helping everyone by staying indoors. “I always believe in being positive. In cricket you get out for zero after scoring a century in the preceding innings. You end up wicketless after having done your best in the previous spells.” “I have read and heard how the human race has fought and set examples when dealing with a crisis. India’s strength lies in our culture - looking after each other and caring for elders. We have to look to help the seniors. I know we will win this battle by staying together and strengthening the hands of our government and doctors by staying indoors.”

I know we will win this battle against COVID-19, says Kapil Dev

India's lone Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra has announced that there will be no lay-offs in his two organizations amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which has sparked fears of a global recession.

The novel coronavirus has already claimed 18 lives in India while the global death toll has crossed 23,000.

I can't claim to do much as India fights the corona pandemic but, despite, the uncertainty I am committed to my team for the foreseeable future. I will

carry the load for as long as I can. Till we are back to helping our patients,athletes and clients," Bindra tweeted.

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I can’t claim to do much as India fights the corona pandemic but, despite, the uncertainty I am committed to my team for the foreseeable future. I will carry the load for as long as I can. Till we are back to helping our patients,athletes and clients. <a href="https://twitter.com/abtpindia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@abtpindia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/abfoundationind?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@abfoundationind</a>
— Abhinav Bindra OLY (@Abhinav_Bindra) <a href="https://twitter.com/Abhinav_Bindra/status/1243442093311160320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Bindra runs two separate entities -- Abhinav Bindra Foundation (ABF) and Facility for Physical Excellence (ABTP) which has multiple centres across India.&nbsp;

India's lone Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra has announced that there will be no lay-offs in his two organizations amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which has sparked fears of a global recession.

India's lone Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra has announced that there will be no lay-offs in his two organizations amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which has sparked fears of a global recession. The novel coronavirus has already claimed 18 lives in India while the global death toll has crossed 23,000. I can't claim to do much as India fights the corona pandemic but, despite, the uncertainty I am committed to my team for the foreseeable future. I will carry the load for as long as I can. Till we are back to helping our patients,athletes and clients," Bindra tweeted. I can’t claim to do much as India fights the corona pandemic but, despite, the uncertainty I am committed to my team for the foreseeable future. I will carry the load for as long as I can. Till we are back to helping our patients,athletes and clients. @abtpindia @abfoundationind — Abhinav Bindra OLY (@Abhinav_Bindra) March 27, 2020 × Bindra runs two separate entities -- Abhinav Bindra Foundation (ABF) and Facility for Physical Excellence (ABTP) which has multiple centres across India.

COVID-19: Entrepreneur Abhinav Bindra vows to stand by his 'team'

Manchester United will refund supporters if they have to play their remaining home games of the season behind closed doors or if they are scrapped due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The deadline for season ticket renewals for next season has also been suspended, with no indication as to when the current campaign can re-start.

English football has been suspended until April 30, but a meeting of Premier League clubs next week is expected to push that date further back.

United would be one of the clubs worst affected should the 2019/20 season fail to be completed as they sit fifth in the Premier League, outside the Champions League places, and are still involved in the latter stages of the Europa League and FA Cup.

However, Manchester City's two-season ban from European competition could allow their city rivals to qualify for the Champions League if it is upheld for next season.&nbsp;

"The club&nbsp;fully&nbsp;supports the collective intent to complete the Premier League, FA Cup and the UEFA club competitions," United said in a statement on Friday.

"However, if&nbsp;it&nbsp;were&nbsp;decided that games cannot be played, or needed&nbsp;to be played behind closed doors, Manchester United&nbsp;confirms it&nbsp;will offer season ticket holders either a pro-rata rebate against their season tickets for next year, or a pro-rata cash refund based on the&nbsp;number of&nbsp;games still to be played.

"The&nbsp;season ticket&nbsp;renewal deadline, initially 1 May, has been suspended."

United have also committed to paying 3,000 casual staff for their remaining five home Premier League games even if they are cancelled or played behind closed doors.

Earlier this month, the Red Devils paid travelling fans £350 ($429) towards travel and accommodation costs when their Europa League last-16, first-leg match against LASK in Austria was forced behind closed doors at short notice.

"By pushing the season ticket&nbsp;renewal&nbsp;deadline back&nbsp;and&nbsp;confirming our policy&nbsp;if games were to be cancelled or played behind&nbsp;closed doors,&nbsp;we want to&nbsp;ease&nbsp;any&nbsp;concerns&nbsp;our&nbsp;loyal&nbsp;fans may have&nbsp;in the current circumstances," said Richard Arnold,&nbsp;United's Group&nbsp;Managing Director.

"They give Manchester United their support year after year, and at this time, we are committed to supporting them. &nbsp;Our message to them is clear -- we are all in this together."

Manchester United will refund supporters if they have to play their remaining home games of the season behind closed doors or if they are scrapped due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Manchester United will refund supporters if they have to play their remaining home games of the season behind closed doors or if they are scrapped due to the coronavirus pandemic. The deadline for season ticket renewals for next season has also been suspended, with no indication as to when the current campaign can re-start. English football has been suspended until April 30, but a meeting of Premier League clubs next week is expected to push that date further back. United would be one of the clubs worst affected should the 2019/20 season fail to be completed as they sit fifth in the Premier League, outside the Champions League places, and are still involved in the latter stages of the Europa League and FA Cup. However, Manchester City's two-season ban from European competition could allow their city rivals to qualify for the Champions League if it is upheld for next season. "The club fully supports the collective intent to complete the Premier League, FA Cup and the UEFA club competitions," United said in a statement on Friday. "However, if it were decided that games cannot be played, or needed to be played behind closed doors, Manchester United confirms it will offer season ticket holders either a pro-rata rebate against their season tickets for next year, or a pro-rata cash refund based on the number of games still to be played. "The season ticket renewal deadline, initially 1 May, has been suspended." United have also committed to paying 3,000 casual staff for their remaining five home Premier League games even if they are cancelled or played behind closed doors. Earlier this month, the Red Devils paid travelling fans £350 ($429) towards travel and accommodation costs when their Europa League last-16, first-leg match against LASK in Austria was forced behind closed doors at short notice. "By pushing the season ticket renewal deadline back and confirming our policy if games were to be cancelled or played behind closed doors, we want to ease any concerns our loyal fans may have in the current circumstances," said Richard Arnold, United's Group Managing Director. "They give Manchester United their support year after year, and at this time, we are committed to supporting them. Our message to them is clear -- we are all in this together."

Man Utd to offer refunds, season ticket delay to fans amid COVID-19 pandemic

It was Atalanta’s maiden appearance in the knockout stage of UEFA Champions League (UCL) as they faced Spanish outfit Valencia at Milan’s famous San Siro Stadium on February 19. With 45,792 witnessing the match from the stadium in what was a 4-1 victory for the Italian club but what followed in Italy and Spain is a complete massacre which has led to medical experts terming the match as a ‘biological bomb’.&nbsp;

The match between Atalanta and Valencia have been dubbed as ‘Game Zero’ by the local media as it was held two days before the first case of locally transmitted COVID-19 was confirmed in Italy.

A third of Bergamo’s population made a trip to Milan with around 2,500 fans joining in from Spain to witness the biggest football match in Atalanta’s history. But since then, around 7,000 people in Bergamo has been tested positive for COVID-19 with more than 1,000 dying from the virus. Whereas the Valencia region has witnessed more than 2,600 people being infected from the deadly virus.&nbsp;

&nbsp;“I’m sure that 40,000 people hugging and kissing each other while standing a centimetre apart — four times, because Atalanta scored four goals (the final result was 4-1) — was definitely a huge accelerator for contagion,” Luca Lorini, the head of the intensive care unit at the Pope John XXIII hospital in Bergamo, told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

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[<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ATAVAL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ATAVAL</a>]: But de <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Atalanta?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Atalanta</a> 
 
(Tags:<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Valence?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Valence</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Atalanta?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Atalanta</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChampionsLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ChampionsLeague</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Goal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Goal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AtalantaVCF?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AtalantaVCF</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Atalanta_BC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Atalanta_BC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/valenciacf?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@valenciacf</a>) <a href="https://t.co/fbWodsaTJv">pic.twitter.com/fbWodsaTJv</a>
— N̶x̶n̶d̶o̶!̶ (@Nanxdo_) <a href="https://twitter.com/Nanxdo_/status/1230242898584666115?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2020</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

ALSO READ:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/italian-sports-minister-very-very-doubtful-about-serie-a-returning-in-may-288814">&nbsp;Italian sports minister 'very, very doubtful' about Serie A returning in May</a>

“Right now we’re at war. When peacetime comes, I can assure you we will go and see how many of the 40,000 people who went to the game became infected,” Lorini added. “Right now we have other priorities.”

There was no stopping UCL matches as Atalanta and Valencia locked horns in the second-leg on March 10, played behind closed doors at Mestalla Stadium in Valencia. A few thousand Valencia fans gathered outside the stadium to welcome the team. But who will take the responsibility now?

<img alt="Atalanta vs Valencia, UCL match" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="abe14e9f-ae2a-4485-8e7d-92d3205ae36f" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_1PR9AJ.jpg" />

Atalanta captain Alejandro “Papu” Gómez told Argentine daily Olé it was “terrible” to have played that game.

Fabiano di Marco, the chief pneumologist at the Pope John XXIII hospital in Bergamo, told Corriere della Sera the fans travelled to the match "in buses, cars, trains. A biological bomb, unfortunately."

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Duomo Milano <a href="https://twitter.com/valenciacf?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@valenciacf</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/valenciacf_en?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@valenciacf_en</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AtalantaValencia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AtalantaValencia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ATAVAL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ATAVAL</a> <a href="https://t.co/7G0jzUTSTc">pic.twitter.com/7G0jzUTSTc</a>
— Fady Fakhoury (@FAF_91) <a href="https://twitter.com/FAF_91/status/1230107645790605312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2020</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

Bergamo, which is one of the most affected provinces in Italy by the COVID-19, has witnessed its cemetery becoming being piled up with the number of dead with military trucks transporting bodies to a neighbouring region for cremation.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/britains-youngest-to-be-olympian-sky-brown-sends-special-message-to-fans-as-olympics-gets-postponed-288672">Britain's youngest to-be Olympian Sky Brown sends special message to fans as Olympics gets postponed</a>

“We were mid-February so we didn’t have the circumstances of what was happening,” Bergamo Mayor Giorgio Gori said this week during a live Facebook chat with the Foreign Press Association in Rome. “If it’s true what they’re saying that the virus was already circulating in Europe in January, then it’s very probable that 40,000 Bergamaschi in the stands of San Siro, all together, exchanged the virus between them. As is possible that so many Bergamaschi that night got together in houses, bars to watch the match and did the same.

“Unfortunately, we couldn’t have known. No one knew the virus was already here,” the mayor added. “It was inevitable.”

<img alt="Atalanta vs Valencia, UCL match" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="db51eca5-421b-4831-878d-c618144a768a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_1P47U6.jpg" />

Around a week after the match, a journalist who travelled to Milan became the second person infected in the region before numbers started to increase as people who were in contact with him also tested positive for the deadly virus, as did the Valencia fans who were at the game.

With the UEFA Champions League being suspended because of COVID-19 pandemic, Atalanta have no clue whether they will get to play in the quarter-final – which will be again their biggest game in history.&nbsp;

It was Atalanta’s maiden appearance in the knockout stage of UEFA Champions League (UCL) as they faced Spanish outfit Valencia at Milan’s famous San Siro Stadium on February 19.

It was Atalanta’s maiden appearance in the knockout stage of UEFA Champions League (UCL) as they faced Spanish outfit Valencia at Milan’s famous San Siro Stadium on February 19. With 45,792 witnessing the match from the stadium in what was a 4-1 victory for the Italian club but what followed in Italy and Spain is a complete massacre which has led to medical experts terming the match as a ‘biological bomb’. The match between Atalanta and Valencia have been dubbed as ‘Game Zero’ by the local media as it was held two days before the first case of locally transmitted COVID-19 was confirmed in Italy. A third of Bergamo’s population made a trip to Milan with around 2,500 fans joining in from Spain to witness the biggest football match in Atalanta’s history. But since then, around 7,000 people in Bergamo has been tested positive for COVID-19 with more than 1,000 dying from the virus. Whereas the Valencia region has witnessed more than 2,600 people being infected from the deadly virus. “I’m sure that 40,000 people hugging and kissing each other while standing a centimetre apart — four times, because Atalanta scored four goals (the final result was 4-1) — was definitely a huge accelerator for contagion,” Luca Lorini, the head of the intensive care unit at the Pope John XXIII hospital in Bergamo, told The Associated Press on Wednesday. [#ATAVAL]: But de #Atalanta (Tags:#Valence #Atalanta #ChampionsLeague #Goal #AtalantaVCF @Atalanta_BC @valenciacf) pic.twitter.com/fbWodsaTJv — N̶x̶n̶d̶o̶!̶ (@Nanxdo_) February 19, 2020 × ALSO READ: Italian sports minister 'very, very doubtful' about Serie A returning in May “Right now we’re at war. When peacetime comes, I can assure you we will go and see how many of the 40,000 people who went to the game became infected,” Lorini added. “Right now we have other priorities.” There was no stopping UCL matches as Atalanta and Valencia locked horns in the second-leg on March 10, played behind closed doors at Mestalla Stadium in Valencia. A few thousand Valencia fans gathered outside the stadium to welcome the team. But who will take the responsibility now? Atalanta captain Alejandro “Papu” Gómez told Argentine daily Olé it was “terrible” to have played that game. Fabiano di Marco, the chief pneumologist at the Pope John XXIII hospital in Bergamo, told Corriere della Sera the fans travelled to the match "in buses, cars, trains. A biological bomb, unfortunately." Duomo Milano @valenciacf @valenciacf_en #AtalantaValencia #ATAVAL pic.twitter.com/7G0jzUTSTc — Fady Fakhoury (@FAF_91) February 19, 2020 × Bergamo, which is one of the most affected provinces in Italy by the COVID-19, has witnessed its cemetery becoming being piled up with the number of dead with military trucks transporting bodies to a neighbouring region for cremation. ALSO READ: Britain's youngest to-be Olympian Sky Brown sends special message to fans as Olympics gets postponed “We were mid-February so we didn’t have the circumstances of what was happening,” Bergamo Mayor Giorgio Gori said this week during a live Facebook chat with the Foreign Press Association in Rome. “If it’s true what they’re saying that the virus was already circulating in Europe in January, then it’s very probable that 40,000 Bergamaschi in the stands of San Siro, all together, exchanged the virus between them. As is possible that so many Bergamaschi that night got together in houses, bars to watch the match and did the same. “Unfortunately, we couldn’t have known. No one knew the virus was already here,” the mayor added. “It was inevitable.” Around a week after the match, a journalist who travelled to Milan became the second person infected in the region before numbers started to increase as people who were in contact with him also tested positive for the deadly virus, as did the Valencia fans who were at the game. With the UEFA Champions League being suspended because of COVID-19 pandemic, Atalanta have no clue whether they will get to play in the quarter-final – which will be again their biggest game in history.

Atalanta vs Valencia 'Game Zero': UEFA Champions League match a 'biological bomb' that infected Bergamo province in Italy with COVID-19

Dhoni on Thursday donated a sum of Rs 1 lakh to the Mukul Madhav Foundation via a crowdfunding website Ketto in Pune which will support 100 families for 14 days as India continues to remain in lockdown in a bid to fight against the deadly COVID-19. While some sportspersons have come forward and donated their bit in this time of crisis, Twitteratis&nbsp;were left completely baffled and angered to see Dhoni donating just Rs 1 lakh.

Fans and social media users raised their voice on micro-blogging platform Twitter to slam Dhoni as many stated that with a worth of around Rs 800 crore, Dhoni could have or rather should have donated more.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/sachin-tendulkar-steps-forward-again-donates-rs-50-lakh-to-fight-covid-19-288859">Sachin Tendulkar steps forward again, donates Rs 50 lakh to fight COVID-19</a>

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MS Dhoni should be told not to insult the feeling/concept of Charity or Donation. somebody should do a crowdfunding and return his 1 Lakh with interest... <a href="https://t.co/w8RJBDzDZ9">https://t.co/w8RJBDzDZ9</a>
— IIIIIIIIII (@_NairFYI) <a href="https://twitter.com/_NairFYI/status/1243265923886145536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Just 1 lakh?? Shame on you <a href="https://twitter.com/msdhoni?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@msdhoni</a> . <a href="https://t.co/YVoOFt5fB0">https://t.co/YVoOFt5fB0</a>
— Rupesh shukla (@rupeshshukla5) <a href="https://twitter.com/rupeshshukla5/status/1243252213645856768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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1 lakh gloves hi de dete, would’ve looked a much bigger gesture <a href="https://t.co/hNo3ZbI5Nt">https://t.co/hNo3ZbI5Nt</a>
— a (@arifkhan7) <a href="https://twitter.com/arifkhan7/status/1243240920813727746?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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1 lakh ? Abe sharm nahi aati tumhe <a href="https://t.co/KFt8PEaa5p">https://t.co/KFt8PEaa5p</a>
— #NO_NRC_NO_CAA (@bekaradmi007) <a href="https://twitter.com/bekaradmi007/status/1243239937048301568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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If this is true..MSD is Rejected .. 
 
Sorry! <a href="https://t.co/wWiA1nhSul">https://t.co/wWiA1nhSul</a>
— Captain (@bbboy12345678_) <a href="https://twitter.com/bbboy12345678_/status/1243443392475836421?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Bhai isse acha toh deta hi nahi <a href="https://t.co/jcGJJOqzvD">https://t.co/jcGJJOqzvD</a>
— Mohammed Nawaz (@nawaz_here) <a href="https://twitter.com/nawaz_here/status/1243440033136140288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2020</a></blockquote>
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M S dhoni has donated RS 1 lakh for coronavirus. 
 
His net worth is approximately 800 crore.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/shame?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#shame</a> on you# <a href="https://t.co/UOJP7OLyZj">pic.twitter.com/UOJP7OLyZj</a>
— Sachin Gautam(Pandit) (@SachinGautamPa1) <a href="https://twitter.com/SachinGautamPa1/status/1243462449149476864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2020</a></blockquote>
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ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/atalanta-vs-valencia-game-zero-uefa-champions-league-match-a-biological-bomb-that-infected-bergamo-province-in-italy-with-covid-19-288899">Atalanta vs Valencia 'Game Zero': UEFA Champions League match a 'biological bomb' that infected Bergamo province in Italy with COVID-19</a>

Pune is one of the worst-hit cities by the novel coronavirus in India with over 30 positive cases being reported from the city and hundreds of people in quarantine. In this time of crisis, Dhoni’s donation will be used to provide relief kits in Pune to the daily wage workers and poor families who continue to suffer the most from the COVID-19 pandemic with India continuing to be under lockdown for a 21-day period. &nbsp;

The relief kit consists of basic essential items such as soap, rice, flour, oil, grains, pulses, biscuits, tea, sugar, spices, etc. Following Dhoni’s donation, many people started noticing and chipped in with a donation to raise as much as Rs 11.5 lakh for the campaign.

Apart from Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar has donated a sum of Rs 50 lakh whereas Sourav Ganguly has provided rice worth Rs 50 lakh for the underprivileged. Irfan and Yusuf Pathan have donated over 4,000 masks in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic whereas other sportspersons have contributed by pledging their salaries and donating medical equipment.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Dhoni on Thursday donated a sum of Rs 1 lakh to the Mukul Madhav Foundation via a crowdfunding website Ketto in Pune which will support 100 families for 14 days as India continues to remain in lockdown in a bid to fight against the deadly COVID-19.

Dhoni on Thursday donated a sum of Rs 1 lakh to the Mukul Madhav Foundation via a crowdfunding website Ketto in Pune which will support 100 families for 14 days as India continues to remain in lockdown in a bid to fight against the deadly COVID-19. While some sportspersons have come forward and donated their bit in this time of crisis, Twitteratis were left completely baffled and angered to see Dhoni donating just Rs 1 lakh. Fans and social media users raised their voice on micro-blogging platform Twitter to slam Dhoni as many stated that with a worth of around Rs 800 crore, Dhoni could have or rather should have donated more. ALSO READ: Sachin Tendulkar steps forward again, donates Rs 50 lakh to fight COVID-19 MS Dhoni should be told not to insult the feeling/concept of Charity or Donation. somebody should do a crowdfunding and return his 1 Lakh with interest... https://t.co/w8RJBDzDZ9 — IIIIIIIIII (@_NairFYI) March 26, 2020 × Just 1 lakh?? Shame on you @msdhoni . https://t.co/YVoOFt5fB0 — Rupesh shukla (@rupeshshukla5) March 26, 2020 × 1 lakh gloves hi de dete, would’ve looked a much bigger gesture https://t.co/hNo3ZbI5Nt — a (@arifkhan7) March 26, 2020 × 1 lakh ? Abe sharm nahi aati tumhe https://t.co/KFt8PEaa5p — #NO_NRC_NO_CAA (@bekaradmi007) March 26, 2020 × If this is true..MSD is Rejected .. Sorry! https://t.co/wWiA1nhSul — Captain (@bbboy12345678_) March 27, 2020 × Bhai isse acha toh deta hi nahi https://t.co/jcGJJOqzvD — Mohammed Nawaz (@nawaz_here) March 27, 2020 × M S dhoni has donated RS 1 lakh for coronavirus. His net worth is approximately 800 crore.#shame on you# pic.twitter.com/UOJP7OLyZj — Sachin Gautam(Pandit) (@SachinGautamPa1) March 27, 2020 × ALSO READ: Atalanta vs Valencia 'Game Zero': UEFA Champions League match a 'biological bomb' that infected Bergamo province in Italy with COVID-19 Pune is one of the worst-hit cities by the novel coronavirus in India with over 30 positive cases being reported from the city and hundreds of people in quarantine. In this time of crisis, Dhoni’s donation will be used to provide relief kits in Pune to the daily wage workers and poor families who continue to suffer the most from the COVID-19 pandemic with India continuing to be under lockdown for a 21-day period. The relief kit consists of basic essential items such as soap, rice, flour, oil, grains, pulses, biscuits, tea, sugar, spices, etc. Following Dhoni’s donation, many people started noticing and chipped in with a donation to raise as much as Rs 11.5 lakh for the campaign. Apart from Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar has donated a sum of Rs 50 lakh whereas Sourav Ganguly has provided rice worth Rs 50 lakh for the underprivileged. Irfan and Yusuf Pathan have donated over 4,000 masks in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic whereas other sportspersons have contributed by pledging their salaries and donating medical equipment.

'Rs 1 lakh only?' - Twitteratis lash out at MS Dhoni for his donation to Pune-based NGO amid COVID-19 pandemic

BCCI should not "wait forever" to start the women's IPL, said India women's ODI captain Mithali Raj, urging the board to make it happen next year on a smaller scale before gradually developing it.

"I personally feel they should start a women's IPL by next year, even if it's on a slightly smaller scale and with some changes in rules, such as, say, have five to six foreign players in the first edition instead of four as is the case with the men's IPL," Raj told 'ESPNCricinfo'

After India lost the T20 World Cup in the finals earlier this month, former skipper Sunil Gavaskar had called for a full-fledged women's IPL from next year to unearth talent.

In 2019, a three-team women's tournament was held featuring sides called IPL Velocity, IPL Trailblazers and IPL Supernovas.

This year, the BCCI had decided to organise a four-team women's T20 challenge to run parallel to the men's IPL playoffs, but now it has been put on hold along with the main event due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

India don't have enough women cricketers for a full-fledged IPL but Raj said it can still be conducted if existing IPL franchises own teams to begin the process.

"I agree we don't have the depth in the domestic pool yet, but the key is to get the existing franchises to form teams, even if (only) five or six of them are keen to begin the process because in any case, the BCCI was going to have four teams," she said.

"You cannot wait forever; you have to begin at some point, and gradually, year by year, you can keep evolving the league and then bring it down to four foreign players."

Raj also said that teen sensation Shafali Verma, who impressed with the bat in the T20 World Cup, should be included in the ODIs too. 
"It's not a bad idea to consider her for the ODIs. She is young but that should not be a criterion for not giving her opportunities in the ODI side," she said.

BCCI should not "wait forever" to start the women's IPL, said India women's ODI captain Mithali Raj, urging the board to make it happen next year on a smaller scale before gradually developing it.

BCCI should not "wait forever" to start the women's IPL, said India women's ODI captain Mithali Raj, urging the board to make it happen next year on a smaller scale before gradually developing it. "I personally feel they should start a women's IPL by next year, even if it's on a slightly smaller scale and with some changes in rules, such as, say, have five to six foreign players in the first edition instead of four as is the case with the men's IPL," Raj told 'ESPNCricinfo' After India lost the T20 World Cup in the finals earlier this month, former skipper Sunil Gavaskar had called for a full-fledged women's IPL from next year to unearth talent. In 2019, a three-team women's tournament was held featuring sides called IPL Velocity, IPL Trailblazers and IPL Supernovas. This year, the BCCI had decided to organise a four-team women's T20 challenge to run parallel to the men's IPL playoffs, but now it has been put on hold along with the main event due to the COVID-19 pandemic. India don't have enough women cricketers for a full-fledged IPL but Raj said it can still be conducted if existing IPL franchises own teams to begin the process. "I agree we don't have the depth in the domestic pool yet, but the key is to get the existing franchises to form teams, even if (only) five or six of them are keen to begin the process because in any case, the BCCI was going to have four teams," she said. "You cannot wait forever; you have to begin at some point, and gradually, year by year, you can keep evolving the league and then bring it down to four foreign players." Raj also said that teen sensation Shafali Verma, who impressed with the bat in the T20 World Cup, should be included in the ODIs too. "It's not a bad idea to consider her for the ODIs. She is young but that should not be a criterion for not giving her opportunities in the ODI side," she said.

Mithali Raj wants women's IPL next year, says BCCI shouldn't wait forever

Italian football federation (FIGC) president Gabriele Gravina said he was determined that the Serie A season would be concluded even going into August.

All sport in Italy has been suspended until April 3 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic which has forced the postponement of Euro 2020 and the Tokyo Olympics.

"We will do everything to complete the championships, if necessary we will ask for the support of UEFA and FIFA to go beyond June 30 and play also in July or August," Gravina told Radio Marte.

"It's premature to think of a date, but we must think positively, also for the health of Italians and hope that this situation will end as soon as possible."

The FIGC chief had last week expressed his hope that the championship could resume on the weekend of May 2.

A meeting is scheduled Thursday between the representatives of the Italian league, FIGC, the players' union, coaches and the government to evaluate the future.

"There are many issues," said Gravina.

As for the suspended championship, Gravina rejected either cancelling or assigning the title as the table stands where champions Juventus were leading by a point when the season was halted.

"This would lead to an unpleasant scenario. As long as possible, I will continue to reject these options."&nbsp;

Italian football federation (FIGC) president Gabriele Gravina said he was determined that the Serie A season would be concluded even going into August. All sport in Italy has been suspended until April 3 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic which has forced the postponement of Euro 2020 and the Tokyo Olympics.

Italian football federation (FIGC) president Gabriele Gravina said he was determined that the Serie A season would be concluded even going into August. All sport in Italy has been suspended until April 3 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic which has forced the postponement of Euro 2020 and the Tokyo Olympics. "We will do everything to complete the championships, if necessary we will ask for the support of UEFA and FIFA to go beyond June 30 and play also in July or August," Gravina told Radio Marte. "It's premature to think of a date, but we must think positively, also for the health of Italians and hope that this situation will end as soon as possible." The FIGC chief had last week expressed his hope that the championship could resume on the weekend of May 2. A meeting is scheduled Thursday between the representatives of the Italian league, FIGC, the players' union, coaches and the government to evaluate the future. "There are many issues," said Gravina. As for the suspended championship, Gravina rejected either cancelling or assigning the title as the table stands where champions Juventus were leading by a point when the season was halted. "This would lead to an unpleasant scenario. As long as possible, I will continue to reject these options."

Italian football chief ready to finish season in August

England wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler is hoping for at least a curtailed IPL this season, aware that it would be difficult to conduct the "massive tournament" in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.

The league was originally scheduled to start on March 29 in Mumbai but it was postponed to April 15 to contain the spread of the coronavirus, which has claimed more than 21,000 lives across the globe.

"No news at the moment. We saw, initially, that it was going to be postponed. It's very hard to see this changing in the immediate future, so I don't see that as a possibility at the moment," Buttler said in a skysports podcast.

"Obviously, it's such a massive tournament for world cricket, so hopefully some of it can go ahead - perhaps a shortened tournament."

Buttler also spoke about the duel between Jofra Archer and Steve Smith during the Ashes. Smith was forced to retire hurt after being struck on the side of the head by a Archer bouncer during the second Ashes Test at Lord's last year.

The Australian batsman was ruled out of the third Test after suffering concussion.

"That was Jofra's first Test - he came with a lot of expectations [on him] but for a guy to produce a spell on debut like he did was quite incredible," said Buttler.

"Any time we see some of the best Test cricket, it's always with great fast bowling; Jofra - a new kid on the block bowling extremely fast to the world's best batsman at Lord's in an Ashes Test."

"You could just feel that sense of anticipation every time that he ran in and you could see the speedgun getting quicker and quicker. There was that sense of something happening - incredible theatre and incredible drama," Buttler said.

"It was scary because [Smith] got hit on his neck or just beneath. People are very aware of what happened to Phillip Hughes, so there was huge worry for everyone."

Asked with whom he would least like to self-isolate with, Buttler quipped: "Ravi Ashwin, probably. It's actually a year ago since I got 'mankaded' because I keep getting tweeted about it, saying 'stay safe, don't go outside' with those pictures of me."

Ashwin on Wednesday had cited the 2019 IPL's Mankading incident involving Buttler to urge people to stay indoor during coronavirus lockdown in the country.

UK too has put its population under a lockdown and Buttler said the break has given him an opportunity to spend time with his daughter and he tries to do some exercise to keep himself fit.

"Obviously, very strange circumstances, but it's actually quite nice to spend some time at home, be with our little girl and actually just be a dad for a bit. I've also been doing some Pilates with my Mrs, in my cricket gear," he said.

"The calendar is always so busy, so you're trying to find times when you can get a bit of a break, so I'm trying to use the time as a positive - although, of course, it's really unfortunate circumstances and very tough for everyone."

England wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler is hoping for at least a curtailed IPL this season, aware that it would be difficult to conduct the "massive tournament" in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.

England wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler is hoping for at least a curtailed IPL this season, aware that it would be difficult to conduct the "massive tournament" in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. The league was originally scheduled to start on March 29 in Mumbai but it was postponed to April 15 to contain the spread of the coronavirus, which has claimed more than 21,000 lives across the globe. "No news at the moment. We saw, initially, that it was going to be postponed. It's very hard to see this changing in the immediate future, so I don't see that as a possibility at the moment," Buttler said in a skysports podcast. "Obviously, it's such a massive tournament for world cricket, so hopefully some of it can go ahead - perhaps a shortened tournament." Buttler also spoke about the duel between Jofra Archer and Steve Smith during the Ashes. Smith was forced to retire hurt after being struck on the side of the head by a Archer bouncer during the second Ashes Test at Lord's last year. The Australian batsman was ruled out of the third Test after suffering concussion. "That was Jofra's first Test - he came with a lot of expectations [on him] but for a guy to produce a spell on debut like he did was quite incredible," said Buttler. "Any time we see some of the best Test cricket, it's always with great fast bowling; Jofra - a new kid on the block bowling extremely fast to the world's best batsman at Lord's in an Ashes Test." "You could just feel that sense of anticipation every time that he ran in and you could see the speedgun getting quicker and quicker. There was that sense of something happening - incredible theatre and incredible drama," Buttler said. "It was scary because [Smith] got hit on his neck or just beneath. People are very aware of what happened to Phillip Hughes, so there was huge worry for everyone." Asked with whom he would least like to self-isolate with, Buttler quipped: "Ravi Ashwin, probably. It's actually a year ago since I got 'mankaded' because I keep getting tweeted about it, saying 'stay safe, don't go outside' with those pictures of me." Ashwin on Wednesday had cited the 2019 IPL's Mankading incident involving Buttler to urge people to stay indoor during coronavirus lockdown in the country. UK too has put its population under a lockdown and Buttler said the break has given him an opportunity to spend time with his daughter and he tries to do some exercise to keep himself fit. "Obviously, very strange circumstances, but it's actually quite nice to spend some time at home, be with our little girl and actually just be a dad for a bit. I've also been doing some Pilates with my Mrs, in my cricket gear," he said. "The calendar is always so busy, so you're trying to find times when you can get a bit of a break, so I'm trying to use the time as a positive - although, of course, it's really unfortunate circumstances and very tough for everyone."

Jos Buttler hoping for shortened IPL in wake of COVID-19 pandemic

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