The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has gotten its timeline for the second phase of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 clear but the preparations for the tournament haven’t yet begun. Chennai Super Kings CEO, Kasi Viswanathan, highlighted the UAE travel ban as a big roadblock on the process.
The UAE government has extended the flight ban from India till July 21 which has prevented franchise officials from flying to the Middle East. The IPL franchises are reportedly looking to finalize their logistical plans, book hotels and make the required arrangements for the players’ stay sooner rather than later.
“Finding hotels won’t be a problem. But flight ban is definitely a problem, it delays our plans” CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan told InsideSport.
“As far as the hotel is concerned, we are already in talks. So, that should not be a problem. Whenever BCCI confirms the dates, we will finalise the bookings,” he added.
Considering the Dubai Expo invites about 25 million visitors to UAE, the prices of hotels are expected to shoot up while getting the desired hotels to create a bio-bubble is already seeming like a challenge.
A Punjab Kings official also shed light on the matter saying: “We still don’t have any official intimation as yet from the BCCI. Unless we get an official note from BCCI, I cannot comment. Whatever we have heard, it is through media. We are in a state of preparedness. We don’t have a problem. Whichever dates BCCI declares, we will be fine by that. Everything is being checked, hotels are being finalised, grounds have been finalised for practice. All of that is done. We are prepared. As soon we get an official confirmation, we will make our move,” the official said.
