Mumbai Indians Commence Quarantining Players And COVID-19 Testing At A Hotel Ahead Of IPL 2020

Defending champions Mumbai Indians have begun the necessary preparations in terms of managing their players’ health ahead of the 13th season of the IPL in the UAE. The management has commenced the process of isolating the Indian players in a hotel and scheduled regular COVID-19 tests. Mumbai Indians bagged their fourth title in 2019 by defeating Chennai Super Kings in Hyderabad.

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The rest of the franchises have also begun the practice. After completing the quarantine period, the Mumbai Indians’ players would be allowed to train at the franchise’s facility in Mumbai. As per a report from ESPN Cricinfo, Rajasthan Royals have also planned to conduct the examinations for their players and support staff over the next two weeks. Yet another franchise has directed the players for home quarantine as a precaution while concurrently conducting COVID-19 testing.

According to the Standard Operating Procedures issued in the wake of COVID-19, the teams can use the stands for dressing room purposes, which would help in maintaining social distancing. Only essential staff would be permitted inside the bio-secure atmosphere, which would be exclusively formulated to protect from COVID-19. The tournament commences on the 19th of September and would continue till the 10th of November, staging behind closed doors.

“The Bio-Secure Environment means only essential staff will be on-site and no members of the public will be allowed. Therefore there will be more vacant areas at the stadium and hence the dressing room does not have to remain within the traditional area,” the SOP stated.

“Outdoor training is out of question” : An IPL franchise

An source of one IPL franchise added that outdoor training still remains out of the question since they are awaiting further instructions as the SOPs are unclear. The IPL Governing Council will address their queries post which they will begin the further proceedings.

“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. We have put forward our concerns with the IPL governing council, hopefully, everything will be clear this weekend so that we can start planning,” the source told ESPN Cricinfo.

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