After their mandatory quarantine and COVID-19 tests, according to BCCI’s laid out SOP and the UAE health protocols, some IPL franchises including defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) embarked on their first training session on Friday (August 28).

MI skipper Rohit Sharma was all excited as he headed towards the nets with two bats in hand.

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"Feels good to be back, even though it's only for an hour but we will take it," said Sharma in a video posted by Mumbai Indians on Twitter.

Notably, MI have made Abu Dhabi their base and the players had their first training session at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium.

The 13th edition of Indian Premier League will be played in the Middle East from September 19 to November 10.

The 60 matches will be held behind closed doors across three venues – Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.