The delay in the release of Indian Premier League (IPL 2020) schedules is becoming unbearable for franchises, players and other stakeholders in the league.
Strict COVID-19 protocols in Abu Dhabi, one of three emirates scheduled to host IPL matches from September 19, has crippled the Board of Control of Cricket India (BCCI). The world’s richest cricket board is currently in talks with the emirates governments, desperately seeking concessions.
And due to COVID-related problems in the organization of the 13th edition of the IPL, the BCCI has not only failed to announce the match schedule, but also has not shared its plans with the eight franchises.
“The BCCI has not yet told the franchises about the IPL schedule. But for us franchises, the IPL is activated as of today, because if the IPL did not happen this year, the BCCI would have told us much earlier. Franchises have spent a lot of money on their equipment. Positive cases will continue to emerge,”Said a source from a franchise to IANS from the United Arab Emirates.
“The point is that if the BCCI has to cancel the IPL, it must cancel it today. They cannot cancel it after 15 days. The franchises are here in the UAE and they have spent a lot of money on their equipment. Also, when we have called our players for the IPL, we will also have to pay them. In case of cancellation, we cannot tell players that since you did not play games, we would not pay you. All of this must be taken into account. Currently, BCCI officials are speaking with the local governments of Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah ”. reported the franchise official.
The chairman of the Governing Council of the Indian Premier League, Brijesh Patel, and the acting executive director of BCCI, Hemang Amin, are in the United Arab Emirates and are in talks with the governments of the three emirates to seek some concessions in the strict COVID protocols for IPL and then come up with a workable plan.
Another source said that if one goes from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, the COVID test is done at the border and takes up to two and a half hours. Alternatively, one has to present a certificate of negative result for a test performed within the last 48 hours. “But you don’t expect people like Dhoni and Kohli to be in the queue for that long. So BCCI is trying to get permission to test members of the IPL team at their hotels for COVID. “ he said.
IPL 2020: Very ‘nervous’ and ‘cautious’ franchises after positive cases at Chennai Super Kings camp
At the same time, all franchises have grown more cautious after thirteen members of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), including two players, tested positive for COVID-19 in the UAE. Players and coaching staff leave their hotel rooms only to practice / train / yoga sessions and for some recreational activities that some franchises, such as Mumbai Indians, have created. But breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in your rooms. All of this is being done within established local COVID protocols.
“We are taking all precautions after the CSK episode. Initially, we had thought that we would take the team to some dinners during the tournament. But that plan has been shelved. Now, it’s just bubble and bubble and bubble. All meals are served in the team member’s rooms; now it’s just room service “ said a franchise official.
Abu Dhabi has the strictest protocols of the three emirates where the IPL will be played. It has virtually sealed off all of its entry and exit points and allows people to enter only after they submit proof of negative COVID-19 test results.
The inaugural IPL match, between champion Mumbai Indians and runner-up CSK, is expected to be played in Abu Dhabi on September 19. If all the pieces don’t fit together at that point, then the BCCI would have to make further changes to the plans, and perhaps cancel the Abu Dhabi leg entirely.
The delay in the announcement of the IPL schedule has prevented STAR India, the official broadcaster, from finalizing its plans for coverage. It was planned that, due to the pandemic, separate crews would be stationed in each of the three emirates to cover the matches. Meanwhile, a person who would have been part of the STAR production team tested positive in India and was punished. In general, the situation on all fronts is fluid and everyone is keeping their fingers crossed.
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