The novel coronavirus has taken the entire world under its dreaded wings. In India, the total number of positive cases of COVID-19 stand at 166 as of Thursday morning. Due to the deadly virus, the entire sporting calendar has been shredded into pieces with all the high profile tournaments getting either cancelled or postponed. Former Indian cricketer and a legend of the gentlemen’s game Sachin Tendulkar on Thursday expressed his emotions in this dire situation as he asked everyone to draw lessons from Test cricket.&nbsp;

Tendulkar said that Test cricket always rewards players for respecting what they don’t understand while adding the longest and oldest format of the game makes one value the virtue of patience. The Little Master further said that that defence becomes the best form of attack when the conditions are tough for a batsman in Test cricket as he urged everyone to remain patient and be on the back-foot.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-australia-looking-forward-to-hold-this-years-icc-t20-world-cup-as-per-schedule-287294">Cricket Australia looking forward to hold this year's ICC T20 World Cup as per schedule</a>

“Cricket is a unique sport. Most sports compete against other sports for fans’ attention, but cricket competes with ever-evolving versions of itself. There has been much debate about the relevance of Test Cricket in the fast-paced T20 world. While the world battles the Covid-19 pandemic, this is probably the time for all of us to draw lessons from the grand old format of the game,” Tendulkar wrote in a column for a leading daily.

“Test cricket rewards you for respecting what you don’t understand. It makes you value the virtue of patience. When you don’t understand the pitch conditions or the bowler, defence becomes the best form of attack,” Tendulkar added.

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Regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time, Tendulkar further said that he never thought he would witness anything like this in his entire life.&nbsp;However, the Master Blaster added that like in Test cricket, it is about partnership and teamwork, and that is what everyone needs to do in a bid to defeat the novel coronavirus.

“Patience is what we require now, if we have to defend well. In my entire life as a professional cricketer and beyond, I never thought I would see anything like this. Cricket in India and globally has come to a complete standstill,” Tendulkar advised.

“To use a cricketing metaphor, while individual brilliance can help a team in shorter formats of the game, in Test cricket it is all about partnerships and teamwork. If a batter faces the easy overs and keeps letting partners take on the menacing bowlers, then he or she may score runs and remain unbeaten, but the innings will collapse. This is a valuable lesson for us to learn from,” Sachin further wrote in the column.

While the situation continues to deteriorate with each passing day, the medical authorities are doing their best to curb the situation. However, the responsibility lies on the hands of respective individuals to follow the advisory and maintain social distancing and self-isolation as much as possible.&nbsp; 
 
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The novel coronavirus has taken the entire world under its dreaded wings. In India, the total number of positive cases of COVID-19 stand at 166 as of Thursday morning.

The novel coronavirus has taken the entire world under its dreaded wings. In India, the total number of positive cases of COVID-19 stand at 166 as of Thursday morning. Due to the deadly virus, the entire sporting calendar has been shredded into pieces with all the high profile tournaments getting either cancelled or postponed. Former Indian cricketer and a legend of the gentlemen’s game Sachin Tendulkar on Thursday expressed his emotions in this dire situation as he asked everyone to draw lessons from Test cricket. Tendulkar said that Test cricket always rewards players for respecting what they don’t understand while adding the longest and oldest format of the game makes one value the virtue of patience. The Little Master further said that that defence becomes the best form of attack when the conditions are tough for a batsman in Test cricket as he urged everyone to remain patient and be on the back-foot. ALSO READ: Cricket Australia looking forward to hold this year's ICC T20 World Cup as per schedule “Cricket is a unique sport. Most sports compete against other sports for fans’ attention, but cricket competes with ever-evolving versions of itself. There has been much debate about the relevance of Test Cricket in the fast-paced T20 world. While the world battles the Covid-19 pandemic, this is probably the time for all of us to draw lessons from the grand old format of the game,” Tendulkar wrote in a column for a leading daily. “Test cricket rewards you for respecting what you don’t understand. It makes you value the virtue of patience. When you don’t understand the pitch conditions or the bowler, defence becomes the best form of attack,” Tendulkar added. ALSO READ: La Liga club Alaves report 15 positive tests for coronavirus Regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time, Tendulkar further said that he never thought he would witness anything like this in his entire life. However, the Master Blaster added that like in Test cricket, it is about partnership and teamwork, and that is what everyone needs to do in a bid to defeat the novel coronavirus. “Patience is what we require now, if we have to defend well. In my entire life as a professional cricketer and beyond, I never thought I would see anything like this. Cricket in India and globally has come to a complete standstill,” Tendulkar advised. “To use a cricketing metaphor, while individual brilliance can help a team in shorter formats of the game, in Test cricket it is all about partnerships and teamwork. If a batter faces the easy overs and keeps letting partners take on the menacing bowlers, then he or she may score runs and remain unbeaten, but the innings will collapse. This is a valuable lesson for us to learn from,” Sachin further wrote in the column. While the situation continues to deteriorate with each passing day, the medical authorities are doing their best to curb the situation. However, the responsibility lies on the hands of respective individuals to follow the advisory and maintain social distancing and self-isolation as much as possible.

Sachin Tendulkar urges everyone to draw lessons from Test cricket to tackle COVID-19

The Australian Grand Prix has been called off due to the spread of the global pandemic, the novel coronavirus. &nbsp;The decision was made after a McLaren team member was tested positive for the coronavirus in Melbourne.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/season-opening-australian-f1-in-chaos-as-mclaren-pulls-out-285901" hreflang="en">Season-opening Australian F1 in chaos as McLaren pulls out</a>

By the time the FIA confirmed the news regarding the cancellation of the news, Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) and Kimi Raikkonen (Alfa Romeo) had flown home.&nbsp;

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The suspension of the curtain-raiser leaves doubts regarding the rest of the tournament. The second round of the Formula One championship is set to take place behind closed doors in Bahrain.&nbsp;

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Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO Andrew Westacott on the cancellation of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AusGP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AusGP</a> <a href="https://t.co/UiuIvlwix8">pic.twitter.com/UiuIvlwix8</a>
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Confirmation of the abandonment came after Mercedes sent a letter requesting suspension of the race due to the outbreak in the pandemic.&nbsp;

The letter read: "We share the disappointment of the sport's fans that this race cannot go ahead as planned. However, the physical and mental health and wellbeing of our team members and of the wider F1 community are our absolute priority.

"In light of the force majeure events we are experiencing with regards to the coronavirus pandemic, we no longer feel the safety of our employees can be guaranteed if we continue to take part in the event.

"If organisers try to press ahead with the weekend it appears at this stage as if not all the teams will take part."

Six-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton said that he was "very, very surprised" as the plan for the race was still on despite virus spreading across the globe.&nbsp;

Earlier, Chinese Grand Prix was postponed due to the outbreak the new date has still not been decided yet.&nbsp;

All the sporting events are going through a massive shut down due to the virus.&nbsp;

The Australian Grand Prix has been called off due to the spread of the global pandemic, the novel coronavirus. The decision was made after a McLaren team member was tested positive for the coronavirus in Melbourne.

The Australian Grand Prix has been called off due to the spread of the global pandemic, the novel coronavirus. The decision was made after a McLaren team member was tested positive for the coronavirus in Melbourne. Also read: Season-opening Australian F1 in chaos as McLaren pulls out By the time the FIA confirmed the news regarding the cancellation of the news, Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) and Kimi Raikkonen (Alfa Romeo) had flown home. Also read: Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta tested positive for coronavirus, Premier League to hold emergency meeting The suspension of the curtain-raiser leaves doubts regarding the rest of the tournament. The second round of the Formula One championship is set to take place behind closed doors in Bahrain. Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO Andrew Westacott on the cancellation of the #AusGP pic.twitter.com/UiuIvlwix8 — Formula 1 (@F1) March 13, 2020 × Confirmation of the abandonment came after Mercedes sent a letter requesting suspension of the race due to the outbreak in the pandemic. The letter read: "We share the disappointment of the sport's fans that this race cannot go ahead as planned. However, the physical and mental health and wellbeing of our team members and of the wider F1 community are our absolute priority. "In light of the force majeure events we are experiencing with regards to the coronavirus pandemic, we no longer feel the safety of our employees can be guaranteed if we continue to take part in the event. "If organisers try to press ahead with the weekend it appears at this stage as if not all the teams will take part." Six-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton said that he was "very, very surprised" as the plan for the race was still on despite virus spreading across the globe. Earlier, Chinese Grand Prix was postponed due to the outbreak the new date has still not been decided yet. All the sporting events are going through a massive shut down due to the virus.

Formula One: Australian Grand Prix cancelled as McLaren team member tested positive for COVID-19

Iran on Wednesday reported 63 new deaths from the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours even as the total death toll due to the deadly virus jumped to 4,377 around the world.

Iran on Wednesday reported 63 new deaths from the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours even as the total death toll due to the deadly virus jumped to 4,377 around the world. The total number of Coronavirus Cases across the world has reached 121,176 while 66,904 people have recovered from the deadly disease, according to worldometers.info. The death toll number 63 is the highest single-day toll since it announced the first deaths from the outbreak. "Based on new lab results, we have identified 958 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection in the country, bringing the total number of cases to 9,000," health ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said in a televised news conference. Watch | UK Health Minister Nadine Dorries diagnosed with Coronavirus × "Unfortunately in the past 24 hours, we have had reports of 63 deaths and overall 354 have lost their lives" to the virus, he added. The outbreak of the coronavirus in Iran is one of the deadliest outside China, where the disease originated. The capital Tehran had the most new infections with 256 cases. The central province of Isfahan followed with 170, and Semnan, to the east of Tehran, had 63. Belgium has reported its first coronavirus-related death while the eighth Briton died of the novel coronavirus. Meanwhile, the president of the European Central Bank has warned that the outbreak will spark an economic downturn in Europe similar to the 2008 financial crash unless EU governments provide financial support for their economies. The US President Trump to announce 'major' steps to aid US economy amid coronavirus fear.

COVID-19: Iran announces 63 new deaths as coronavirus toll jumps to 4,377 worldwide