The second phase of IPL 2021 is getting ready just a few days after the tournament was suspended halfway due to the sudden rise in the COVID-19 cases in May this year. To ensure the safety of players and staff, BCCI has issued a detailed 46-page advisory to the franchises for COVID-19 protocols and regulations. The remainder of IPL starts from September 19, and the league winner is decided on October 15.
BCCI made some changes in the game and camp to assure players do not contact Covid.
Ball change
Every time a batsman hits the ball out of the stands, a new ball is replaced. As the T20 league is known for massive sixes, a new ball is changed after being hit out of the park.
No sharing
The board issued strict guidelines to the franchises not to share any food item, refreshment, beverage water bottle during the drink breaks for players. BCCI has further asked the franchises to have bottles with players names written on them, and no sharing of food and water bottles allowed. The same is the case with towels or any clothing.
Hotel premises
The advisory also asserted that the players can use the golf course in the hotel premises but cannot use any other services like bars, restaurants, or cafes in the golf club.
Strict bio-bubble
The BCCI has also maintained a challenging route against the breach of the bio-bubbles by any players. The saliva ban imposed by the ICC in the post-COVID era remains. There are 14 bubbles created, eight for the teams, three for the umpires and the organising team, three for the broadcasting team and commentators.
RTPCR test mandatory
All franchises must take a COVID-19 RT-PCR test 3 days before their scheduled flight. Everyone must quarantine themselves and prevent contact with others after the RT-PCR test.
However, cricket fans are delighted with the commencement of IPL in the UAE. The tournament’s second leg will kick start with a clash between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings on September 19. Experience the high-voltage cricket excitement on Star Sports, Disney+Hotstar and YuppTV. While Star channels live broadcast IPL in India, Hotstar will live stream the cricket action in India, the US and Canada. YuppTV will stream the IPL in the rest of the countries.