IPL Trophy
IPL Trophy (Image Credit: Twitter)

The IPL franchises and the BCCI face a massive upheaval regarding retaining the sanctity of the bio-bubble in the UAE, where the second phase of the now-suspended IPL 2021 will be held.

The board is worried that the bubble could be breached again as UAE will see a surge in the number of tourists coming in and participating in the Dubai Expo 2020, which will commence from October 1, 2021.

The event will see a huge number of tourists coming in from different parts of the world to enjoy the programme that will run till next March. So much that even the franchises are facing expensive hotel bookings and even unavailability of spaces for players to remain disjoint from the world outside the bubble.

Mumbai Indians
UAE successfully hosted the IPL 2020.  (Image Credit: Twitter)

Since the remainder of the IPL 2021 is set to resume in September – by 19th tentatively – it comes in as a challenge for the franchises and the board to assure the players of the bio-bubble.

Speaking to ANI, a franchise official said that they were looking to go to the UAE as soon as they get a clearance from the BCCI and they would finalise the deals via video calls.

“We are yet to get the go-ahead from the BCCI and it is understandable with an eye on the Covid-19 situation. What we do understand is that we will get clarity from the board on the plan ahead around July 15. After that we could be free to travel,” ANI quoted a franchise official.

“But looking at how the Covid-19 situation is always changing, we might look at video calls to complete the bookings. We need to keep in mind the Dubai Expo and how it might make it difficult to get bulk roooms with every passing day.”

Delhi Capitals
Delhi Capitals are currently at the top of the points table. (Image Credit: Twitter)

“We have the Dubai Expo starting from October 1. Getting hotel rooms that are isolated from the rest of the guests staying a hotel can be a real challenge. It isn’t the same as last time as because of the tourists coming to the UAE last time was minimal as compared to what is expected for the Expo.

“The sooner we can close the deal, the better because once we have locked the rooms, we have to play the bubble which needs to be foolproof.”

Meanwhile, another news coming from a report in the Times of India is that the board has begun its preparation for the IPL 2022. It is reported that the franchises will be given a maximum of 4 retentions – 3 Indian plus 1 overseas, or 2 Indians and 2 overseas – ahead of the mega auction for the next season, which will see two new teams introduced.

Read More  Match-fixing in IPL 2024? Sanju Samson cautions Rishabh Pant after losing the Toss (Watch Video)

Also Read: Boards Should Organise Triangular And Quadrangular Series Instead Of Bilateral Series – Brad Hogg