Fri. Mar 29th, 2024
IPL 2020Image source: Official Facebook page of IPL

Lately BCCI released a 16-page Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). It consists of different health and safety measures that has to be kept in mind by the players and staffs during this novel pandemic. Soon after the enrollment of the SOP, the owners of the eight franchises had an internal meeting in which it was decided that each franchise will have an individual safety protocol as well.

Mumbai Indians have already started quarantining their Indian players with regular courses of covid-19 tests. If the players are tested negative and have completed their quarantine, then they are allowed to take part in the training sessions. Rajasthan Royals also plan to follow the same protocol before they land in the UAE.

social distancing during IPL 2020
Social distancing will be maintained.
Image source: Official Mumbai Indians Facebook page.

An outdoor training session is still out of question. Several petitions have been forwarded to the IPL council board in order for the same. Teams are not yet allowed to have their outdoor training sessions, but there will be a clear image regarding it later this week.

The IPL governing council will soon get in touch with the franchises and hold a video conference so that they can be updated with the finalized copy of the SOP. This might give the franchises a green light to depart to the UAE. All the promotional activities and shoots will also take place with keeping in mind the major rules of social distancing and safety. There should be a 10 days gap between the shoots and their departure to the UAE.

After arriving in the UAE, all players must go mandatory seven days quarantine. This can turn out to be a potential blow for teams like Sunrisers Hyderabad as they could lose David Warner and Jonny Bairstow for the first two matches. Both of these players will be waiting for their T20 series between England and Australia to get over so that they can join their team in the UAE for IPL 2020.

All the teams are now getting ready for the tournament, keeping in mind their safety and safety of others as well. The SOP will clearly be a backbone for the safety and well being of the players and people accompanying them.

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