As India continues to fight against the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting acknowledged that the situation outside the bio-bubble of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is quite “grim” and made an appeal to the players to “keep talking” about it in order to maintain the calmness amid the COVID-19 crisis.

In a video posted by Delhi Capitals on Twitter, Ricky Ponting said, “This IPL, probably more than any other, has become more about what’s happening outside than what’s happening here. We right now are probably the safest people in the country being in the bubbles that we are in. It is really important, we are thinking about the extended family, not just us, but we’ve got to be talking about what’s happening outside because it is quite grim.”

ALSO READ: Faf du Plessis Reckons 5 Sixes Of Ravindra Jadeja Wasn’t A Fluke

He further added, “Even with the country being in a situation that it is, I think cricket can still bring a lot of joy to people. So, it is important for us to be doing what we can as cricketers and as coaches and as a franchise to putting on the best show as possible to give the people something that they’d like to see.”

Ponting admitted that its “hard and difficult” for the players to be away from their families despite living in the same city.

ALSO READ: SRH CEO Kaviya Maran Happy After Seeing Suchith Hits Six Off Rabada

DC head coach explained, “It is hard for the players to be away from their families. I can’t imagine… Even if I put myself in this situation, guys that live in Chennai are actually home now, but can’t see their families. So, the more we can share these experiences, the better off we are. The people that aren’t from India, the more that we can be talking to the locals about what they are going through the better off we are all going to be.”