Pat Cummins feels T20 World Cup should be shifted to UAE if situation remains the same in India

Australian fast bowler and one of the most expensive signings in the IPL history, Pat Cummins is of the opinion that the World T20 should be shifted to the United Arab Emirates in case India's situation does not improve. Cummins broke down his argument stating that the premier ICC event can possibly drain resources that are necessary to fight the raging covid-19 pandemic.

The 14th edition of the Indian Premier League had to be suspended indefinitely after 29 matches after the virus breached through four different bio-bubbles. It has put a huge question mark on whether the mega event could be held in India or not. A third wave is expected around that time in India which makes the situation very dicey for the organisers. 

"If it's going to be a drain on resources or it's not going to be safe, then I don't think it's right to play it over here. That's the first question which needs to be answered," Cummins was quoted as saying by the 'Age' newspaper.

Cummins added that the cricket authorities should have an interaction with the Indian government and make sure that if the tournament is held in India what are the risks and what is best for the tournament. He added that there are always two sides to a coin in regard to the IPL being held in India and not in India like the last time around. 

"It probably too early to say. It's six months away. The priority should be for cricket authorities to work with the Indian government to see what's best for the Indian people," Cummins said.

"The IPL in the UAE last year was brilliant, it was really well run, but millions of people were saying it should have been played in India, so what do you do? You can see both sides. They set up this tournament with all the best advice,” he added. 

Cummins himself donated $50,000 to UNICEF for India’s novel coronavirus crisis. The fast bowler said that how at least half of the KKR squad contracted COVID-19 at some point or the other last year. 

"Close to half our [KKR] squad has had it at some point over the last year," Cummins said.

"Their families are all currently in lockdown in different cities across India. A lot of the family structures are different to Australia, where you've got three generations all living in the one place.

"They [Indian teammates] always try to stay upbeat and positive, but it's really tough out there. We're always checking in with them to see how they're going,” Cummins said. 

Cummins was sceptical of travelling to India for the IPL but he considered his decision as the need of the hour as several people told him that the three-four hours of entertainment actually helped them deal in these tumultuous times. 

"The first thing I wanted to do was make sure playing the IPL was the right call. Speaking to people back home, some had the view that it didn't see right cricket was going on over here in amongst all the COVID cases," he said.

"But the response I was getting from people in India was the opposite. They all said that with so many people in lockdown they really appreciate the fact that for three or four hours each night they can watch the IPL. It gives people a routine, it helps to keep them in homes. Everyone thought it was a positive the IPL was still going on,” Cummins signed off.