Playing in empty stadiums during IPL 2020 was like stepping into a surreal cricketing world — the crowd roar was replaced by eerie silence. Mentally, it was a big shift. Here's how players coped and adapted:
🧠 1. Mental Conditioning & Team Psychologists
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Franchises hired sports psychologists to help players deal with the emotional void of fanless matches.
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Focus shifted inward — players were trained to find motivation from within rather than crowd reactions.
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Teams conducted group visualization sessions to simulate match pressure and crowd noise mentally.
💬 Virat Kohli admitted it was “strange at first,” but they trained to “bring intensity from the dugout.”
🏋️♂️ 2. Dugout Energy Became Crucial
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With no fans, teammates became the new cheer squad.
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Teams like DC and MI even had designated motivators on the bench to keep energy levels high.
🔥 It was like having your own "12th man" in the dugout.
🎧 3. Focus & Communication Improved
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On-field communication became sharper without fan noise.
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Players said they could actually hear the ball off the bat better, judge running calls more clearly, and focus on the game plan without external distractions.
🎙️ Bowlers could hear captains better. Wicketkeepers became fielding generals.
🎭 4. Artificial Atmosphere Helped (a Bit)
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Broadcasters used fake crowd noise, music, and stadium graphics to simulate excitement.
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While players knew it was artificial, it helped reduce the emptiness during crunch moments.
📺 Some players said they’d “tune into the TV noise” mentally to trick themselves into feeling a live crowd.
💬 5. Social Media Became the New Cheers
📱 AB de Villiers said online love gave them a “surprising sense of community” despite isolation.
🧘 6. Routine, Routine, Routine
🎮 Shreyas Iyer, for example, leaned on Call of Duty and chess to clear his mind.
Summary Table: How They Mentally Adjusted
| Challenge |
Coping Strategy |
| No crowd energy |
Boosted dugout noise & team celebrations |
| Mental fatigue |
Sports psychologists, visualization, routine |
| Communication gaps |
Clearer calls, sharper fielding communication |
| Lack of motivation |
Internal drive, team bonding, personal goals |
| Emotional disconnect |
Social media, video calls, fan messages |
Want examples of specific players who thrived mentally in these conditions? Or how this influenced performance trends in high-pressure matches like playoffs and Super Overs?