Kings XI Punjab co-owner Ness Wadia has called for daily COVID-19 testing of players during the IPL 2020, which will be played in the UAE. He also predicted that the 13th edition of the T20 league will be the most watched in tournament’s history.
IPL chairman Brijesh Patel confirmed that the T20 league will be held from 19 September to 8 November. All teams are now awaiting the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) from the BCCI, which will finalize the logistics in the IPL Governing Council meet next week.
"Strict safety protocols have to be put in place both for off-field and on-field activities to make the IPL safe and successful. They should not be compromised at all. I would want as much testing as possible and preferably daily. If I was a cricketer, I would be very happy in getting myself tested every day. There is no harm in it," Wadia said.
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The logistical challenges are much bigger for an eight-team event like the IPL. And it seems likely that it won’t be able to maintain a totally bio-secure environment for the teams and support staff. The organisers wouldn't even require that in the UAE, where a negative COVID-19 test report is all that is needed.
"Bio-secure is something that should be very seriously considered but don't know if it can be implemented in an eight-team tournament. We are waiting for the SOPs from the BCCI. UAE also has a very high testing rate (472,575 per million) and they have all the technology at their disposal. The BCCI will need the help of local government in ensuring adequate testing is done," Wadia said.
Wadia further said, "From the logistics perspective, we have done IPL in the UAE before. But this time you have to add a lot more protocols. I am sure the BCCI will do the needful. There is also enough knowledge to be gained from football leagues like the EPL on how they are going about their job in COVID times."
Though Wadia feels getting sponsors in current fickle financial environment is tricky, but he predicted that the benefits of being associated with the IPL this season are too good to miss out on.
IPL 2020 will be played from September 19- November 8 in UAE, chairman Brijesh Patel confirms
"I would be surprised if this IPL is not the most watched ever. I am talking worldwide and not only India. Therefore, the benefit to sponsors would be tremendous and I am sure they will see it that way. The benefit to them will be more than previous editions considering more people will tune in to watch fresh live sport,” Wadia said.
Wadia also wanted BCCI to compensate the franchise owners suitably if the tournament is played in empty stands, denying them gate money revenue.
"The IPL will bring much needed optimism to the pessimism we live in today. Credit to the BCCI to have a found a window in the current scenario. I do hope that the BCCI will look at compensating all teams (in case there is no gate money involved)," Wadia added.
(PTI inputs)
