IPL 2020 is looming fast as the franchises have already started taking some measures. In these difficult times in Covid crisis, cricket fans are happy to see the biggest T20 league back in action.
However, all the franchises are cautious and have begun preparations for the new season. Although, the IPL Governing Council is yet to finalize the SOP, all the franchises are already preparing themselves for the mega event in UAE next month.
According to ESPNcricinfo, the reigning champions Mumbai Indians have asked all their Indian players to undergo strict quarantine in a hotel. All the players will also undergo COVID 19 tests in the upcoming days.
Meanwhile, inaugural IPL champions Rajasthan Royals have reportedly asked their players to undergo home quarantine. The team are already making arrangements to conduct covid tests in a couple of weeks time.
The resumption of football in Europe, looks to have a helped cricket franchises and other sports to undergo certain precautions before start of any tournament. Meanwhile, IPL governing council have provided an SOP to all the franchises.
But the teams are said to have asked governing council to make certain changes to the rules like reducing the number of mandatory quarantine days for players arriving in UAE.
“Outdoor training is out of question still, we’re being cautious and since everything is still very uncertain with regards to SOPs, we’re awaiting a final confirmation,” a franchise source told ESPNcricinfo.
Current SOP suggests that players arriving in UAE should undergo seven day quarantine and have to take four covid 19 tests. However, teams are asking to reduce this, because of overseas stars.
Some of the overseas players will join their respective IPL teams after fulfilling their CPL contracts and international games. So, if they undergo 7 day quarantine, they might miss out on IPL games at the start of the season.
The teams are hopeful that a final SOP will be given to them by this weekend. All the franchises are making sure that they are well prepared despite huge COVID crisis across the world.
On the other hand, teams like Chennai Super Kings had initially planned to depart for UAE in order to prepare better for the season. But their plans got delayed as IPL is yet to officially release the SOP.
Indian Premier League will begin on September 19 and the finals will be played on November 10. It will only be the second time that the tournament will be completely played outside India after 2009.
