The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has set August 20 as the date post which the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises can travel to the UAE ahead of the Season 13, but the preparations for the new season have already started in India itself. Ahead of the players’ departure, the franchises have asked them to assemble so that the quarantine and testing process can begin.
As per a report in ESPNCricinfo, the franchises had an internal meeting a day or two ago to discuss their own protocols for the league. Now, the process of quarantining the players has started, with Mumbai Indians (MI) deciding to put the players in a hotel. Another franchise, meanwhile, has asked the players to do home quarantine before the testing phase begins.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK), who wanted to reach UAE by the 2nd week of August, have issued a note to their players and support staff to arrive in Chennai after the final SOP is released. Kings XI Punjab are planning on the same lines by assembling their Indian squad first. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), meanwhile, are looking at Abu Dhabi as their camp and want to reach there by August 21 or 22.
As per the SOPs issued by the BCCI, the players are supposed to undergo a week-long quarantine, as well as four separate COVID-19 tests before they training camps in UAE, can begin. Though the franchises have asked for a reduction in the length of quarantine, the BCCI is yet to respond.
“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 final confirmation,” a franchise source said. “We have put forward our concerns with the IPL governing council, hopefully, everything will be clear this weekend so that we can start planning.”
