No Fans, 4 COVID Tests, Bio-Bubble: BCCI Sets SOP Guidelines Ahead Of IPL 13

The BCCI has prepared the Standard Operating Procedure [SOP] guidelines for the forthcoming season of the IPL. The same will be forwarded to the franchise and Emirates Cricket Board shortly.

The 13th edition of the IPL, which was originally set to take place between March 29- May 24 in India had to be moved out to the UAE due to the coronavirus surge in the country.

On expected lines, the tournament, which is set to kick off from September 19, will be played behind closed door.

The BCCI has adhered to the same norms set by the England and Wale Cricket Board [ECB] for their series against West Indies, Pakistan and Ireland.

No more than 15 players will be allowed in the dressing room while commentators will have to follow the six feet distance rule. The BCCI has also asked the franchises to work out all the logistics and hotel arrangements, although the board will be helping them in getting discounts during bookies. Only those caterers will be allowed to serve who have tested negative for Covid.

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Players to undergo four COVID tests before the start of IPL

According to a report in The Indian Express, a BCCI official said that the SOP’s has to be followed not only by the players but also by the franchise owners, wives, and girlfriends of the players.

The official added that the BCCI has left it to the franchise owners whether to allow the families of players or not.

“Once they are in the bio-bubble, no one can break it and rejoin,” the official said.

“The BCCI will not decide whether WAGs and family members can travel with the players, we have left it to the franchises. But we have put out a protocol in which everyone, even team bus drivers, can’t leave the bio-bubble,” the official said.

“The SOP will be handed over to the franchises once we have a meeting with them next week. If they have any grievances, they can come back to the board and we will discuss it,” he added.

As far as COVID tests are concerned, each player will undergo tests within the span of two weeks prior to the start of the tournament. While two tests will be held in India, the other two will take place during the quarantine process in the UAE.

The SOP’s also state that most of the franchises have more than 20 players in the squad, once they have been allotted the hotel, they won’t be allowed to change them. The official also confirmed that the SOP’s will also be given to the match officials and broadcasters

Even though the Covid-19 curve is beginning to flatten in the UAE, the BCCI is not ready to take the risk by allowing fans in the stadium.

“We don’t want to take risks. At least for the early part of the tournament, the games will be played behind closed doors,” the official said.

The IPL Governing Council is set to meet on August 02 to finalize all the details.

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