MUMBAI: With a week to go before the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) begins, the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) is sweating from the alarming increase in the number of Covid cases across the country, especially in Mumbai.
On Saturday, reports came in from Delhi Capitals left arm spinner Axar Patel, Royal Challengers Bangalore opener Devdutt Padikkal, members of the ground staff at Wankhede Stadium, a franchise executive, members of an event management company hired by the BCCI and others. giving positive.
Padikkal is in quarantine after testing positive. RCB is scheduled to play this edition’s opening match against defending champions Mumbai Indians on April 9. Sources say Padikkal is in a race against time to get fit.
The cricket board has admitted that “stricter and more urgent steps” are needed to keep the ecosystem safe for the next two months.
However, the sources added that there is no need to start pressing the panic button just yet and “while it would be safe to have other options ready in case the matches need to be changed,” Mumbai will continue with existing plans for the time being.
Five of the eight IPL franchises (Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders) are currently based in Mumbai. The Knight Riders will soon leave Mumbai for Chennai, where they are scheduled to play their first leg of matches before returning to Mumbai around April 20.
However, the remaining four franchises are scheduled to stay in Mumbai for the next three weeks and play five games in the east.
As the second wave of Covid-19 and its related strains wreak havoc, Mumbai has become the center of all the attention due to the alarming increase in numbers and with cricketers, franchise officials and staff of ground testing positive, the board is in a squeeze right now. , wondering if a ‘Plan B’ needs to be implemented right away.
“Let’s wait and see for the next 48 hours. Until then, everyone must strictly adhere to protocols, increase testing, and not break bio-bubbles. If they follow the rules, things will definitely be fine,” those follow-up developments said.
These are some of the steps that are being contemplated …
Change of matches outside Mumbai: It has not yet been a topic of serious discussion and is unlikely to be, unless the situation gets out of control. Moving to another city with only one week left for the tournament to start will mean resetting the initial schedule. However, should such a situation arise, Hyderabad is the main backup option. Hyderabad and Indore are likely to remain on hold.
Mandatory daily tests: RTPCR tests can also be mandatory every day. The BCCI can make this mandatory for all franchises and personnel involved in the tournament. Unlike the “regular testing” every three days, the BCCI will likely broadcast that testing for each individual associated with the tournament will take place every day.
Separate bio-bubble for ground crew: While the BCCI executive team is already within a bio-bubble, it will now have to do the same with ground personnel as well. This will help with the day-to-day preparations at Wankhede.
Asphalt to Asphalt Flights: Once crews start flying from one location to another, which only starts from the third week of the month, BCCI will have to find ways to ensure that crews don’t get caught up in the airport rush. To guarantee the same, the BCCI will have to work together with the state governments and the airport authorities.
All interested parties should communicate diligently: “If a franchise biobubble or any staff member working with the IPL tests positive or shows symptoms or comes into contact with those affected, the information should be passed on immediately to medical staff. That’s extremely important. Everyone but everyone is doing it. we must be more careful given the situation, “board sources said. “The board is putting Covid compliance officers in their place. They should have started two weeks ago. The tournament cannot be moved to the UAE now.”
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