The Mumbai Indians (MI) players and staff who were training at the Reliance Corporate Park in Navi Mumbai were treated to a special in-flight announcement en route to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The MI contingent is in the UAE, preparing for the second half of the 2021 Indian Premier League (IPL).
“It is an honour to welcome you aboard on this flight charter service from Mumbai to Abu Dhabi. Considering the rains coming in today morning, we have started a quick departure, just like how Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock do it for the team,” said the pilot in his announcement which was shared by MI on their social media handles.
“As per the flight details, we are flying, cruising at 3,000 feet above sea level. Flight will be maintaining a ground speed of about 900 km/h. That gives us about 45 minutes before we land at our destination. That’s just the time Kieron Pollard needs to score a century,” he continued.
“Forecast conditions at the destination, we are expecting a sunny morning, with the temperature of 32 degrees. Pretty much calmness, just like Jasprit Bumrah kept during the Super Over of 2017 playoff against KKR (Kolkata Knight Riders),” he added.
“We shall try landing in Abu Dhabi as early as possible, depending on air traffic congestion. However, I can say it won’t be as quick as Hardik Pandya or Ishan Kishan’s half-century record,” he further stated.
“On behalf of the entire Indigo family, we wish you all the very best for the season. It’s an absolute honour to have you onboard this morning. Thank You,” he concluded.
The first half of the 2021 IPL had to be postponed due to a number of Covid-19 cases coming up within the tournament’s bio-bubbles in New Delhi and Ahmedabad. The season will now resume in the UAE with MI facing Chennai Super Kings in the first match on September 19.
