|| Desk Report ||

The 2020 Indian Premier League will begin from September 19 in the UAE across three venues. But the skills are not a concern but match practice could be one of this, thinks Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) fielding coach Jonty Rhodes.

Meanwhile, Rhodes is returning to the league after two years and he also feels that coaching staff has to give the extra emotional support to all the players amid this crunch time of COVID-19. The players have een staying in a strict bio-secure bubble and they will stay there during the 53-day tournament.

"I think from a skills point of view, batting wise, all the boys have their skills back, they are playing ramp shots in the nets and playing shots all around the ground, which is interesting because they could not practice much during lockdown," Rhodes, who featured in the Mumbai Indians camp for nine seasons, said to PTI from Dubai.

"You tend to pick up the skills quickly but it is the match practice or the lack of it that will take a while to get used to. Playing in the nets is one thing, if you can get the match mindset, especially in a tournament like the IPL, it is very important," he added.

Jonty Rhodes again said that KXIP too is eager to have a few practice games before the league stars from September 19. Apart from Chennai Super Kings, all other franchises have already started their practice after completing their six-day quarantine period. Meanwhile, CSK were forced to extend their quarantine after 13 members tested positive for COVID-19 which also included two players as well.