After a lengthy COVID-19 hiatus, IPL Governing Council Chairman Brijesh Patel on Friday (July 24) announced that the 13th edition of Indian Premier League will be held in UAE from September 19 to November 8.
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The dates might have been confirmed, but the tougher bit will be the effort BCCI puts in to pull it off.
IPL franchises are clear in their demand that they would like their players to assemble a minimum of three weeks before the start of the cash-rich event. If the players land in UAE even by mid-August, they will be running short on time to catch-up after having played no cricket for close to six months.
According to a TOI report, India will see in excess of 1,200 individuals flying to UAE, provided that the two governments give the green signal. Overseas cricketers, match officials and commentators from other countries are included in the list of individuals.
"Of that, around 200 are just cricketers and that many more in terms of support staff, team management, executives handling franchise logistics and operations etc. So, let's say around 400-500 of them. As of now, the players are spread out in different parts of the country and the world. How to bring them all together to one location and make them fly? These are plans that need to be thoroughly worked out," those in the know of developments told TOI.
BCCI has moved the IPL out of the country twice - in 2009 and 2014. But the circumstances are completely different this time around.
"No sport anywhere in the world has ever shifted an entire tournament out of the country at the last minute. Indian cricket accomplished it in 2009. Now, add a pandemic to that exercise and see how big that responsibility becomes," said those in the know.
The litmus test will begin once the IPL lands in UAE.
"The ECB did a fabulous job in pulling off the series (vs West Indies). There are lessons to take from that. IPL's biggest responsibility will be to put a well-panned bio-secure bubble in place, of course with the help of authorities in UAE. In that lies the success of IPL's 13th edition. The winner of this year's league has to be the way in which it is conducted," sources told TOI.
Before boarding the flight, every individual will undergo two COVID-19 tests within 72 hours and repeat the procedure upon arrival.
"Anybody with the mildest of concerns will not take the flight. Upon landing, the next 72 hours will be spent in complete isolation and settling down. Then it will be for the UAE authorities and government's policies to guide us on further procedures," sources said.
While IPL shifting to UAE has made the headlines, franchises are in shock that they haven't officially heard from the BCCI on this matter yet.
"Whatever we're getting to know is mostly through media reports. This is scary. There are so many questions. How are the players going to fly? When? Are we supposed to do our own bookings? What about other operational procedures? These are not last-minute matters", three franchises told TOI.
