With no IPL, rookies like Shahbaz, Kartik keeping themselves motivated with patience and training

Shahbaz Ahmed, in his mind, had a questionnaire for Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers before getting started with what was to be his maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) season.

But the Bengal all-rounder will have to wait to don the Royal Challengers Bangalore red and gold as the possibility of having even a curtailed IPL is getting slimmer by the day with the rise of COVID-19 positive cases in India.

Ditto for India U-19 stars Yashasvi Jaiswal and Kartik Tyagi, who were getting ready for days under heady limelight at the glitzy event, which was to start on Sunday but has been postponed till at least April 15.

The story is no different for Tamil Nadu spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who probably waits from IPL to IPL to feel that spring in his strides.

The wait gets longer by the day but they are hopeful that this too shall pass.

"It was a dream come true when RCB picked me from the auction. I couldn't have been more proud that I will share the dressing room with the Indian captain and ABD," Shahbaz, one of the finds of this year's Ranji Trophy told PTI on Monday.

"I would get to bowl to them in nets and ask for their tips. But we all know how the situation is. We need to tide over crisis," he said.

So, how is he spending time and maintaining his fitness?
"I do drills to keep myself motivated as I can't do full physical training session at home. Once the lockdown ends, I would at least get a chance to run which is very important if not full nets."
"Firstly, the situation should be normal. Secondly, I still hope there is a short IPL. If not, then hopefully I can keep up the good work and play for RCB next year."
So, did he have anything in mind as to what he would have asked stars like Steve Smith or Jos Buttler once they checked in at the Rajasthan Royals camp?