COVID-19, which was started at the end of 2019 in China, rapidly engulfs the whole world be it Europe, USA or India. More than 23 million cases have been reported till now and still increasing at a fast rate.
Many Vaccines candidates are still in Phase 2/3 and then mass manufacturing will also take time, so Vaccine solution is still far. As per Experts “Even though technological advances allow us to do certain things more quickly, we still have to rely on social distancing, contact tracing, self-isolation, and other measures.”
Cricket is like a religion for India, and postponing of IPL 2020 due to pandemic is another Misery that cricket maniacs are going through.
BCCI had proved again that they will left no stone unturned to organize this tournament, if not in India then somewhere else.
So in the end, UAE going to host the IPL 2020, but the challenge remains the same HOW? In such unprecedented times, what steps the IPL governing Body going to Implement in this tournament to make it safer for players and people associated with it.
Definite Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are yet to be made open by the cricket board, yet the wide rules set for the class and the interior protocols arranged by Teams give a brief look at what the season could seem like.
THE NEW NORMAL
1. HYGIENE
Many rules in this regard is been similar to those in Football Leagues going in Europe which restarted after a break due to pandemic. Players have to carry their own equipment like water bottles or towel, which the players not going to share with anyone.
Activities like handshakes, high-fives, tackling, sparring etc are very much likely to be abolished during training sessions.
and Wearing a mask is compulsory at all times (in hotels, meetings, etc) except while training.
2. SOCIAL DISTANCING DURING IPL
Training Session will be different this time as social distancing affect the schedule of the training sessions. Sessions will be planned is such a way that the minimum number of players will be present in the nets at a time.
Social Distancing 2m Rule will make it appear to be distinctive. Players have to check up on this whenever they come near to some outsider of their Team Bio Bubble.
3. COACHED WITH EXTRA ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
IPL 2020 coaches are being assigned with a new role of Keeping the Health status of All the Players including the support Staff. Coaches workload is being increased as they have to check and keep a note on Players health. This is not a Joke, and This is a very critical task, coaches must do it with utmost importance.
If a player gets any symptoms related to COVID-19, then he will be taken back to the hotel and related SOP will be followed as per COVID-19 guidelines.
4. MASK WITH A NAME
In order to avoid the interchanging of masks during the events, Team management is very much likely to print the name of the players on their mask to prevent interchanging.
It might be Possible that there may be some Branding on that Mask as well, as no brand want to lose this chance to having their logo right on Player's Face.
5. 49 to 53: IPL will be Longer
YES! this year IPL going to be longer than usual, Good ha ? Due to the new conditions and change in the schedule this IPL will be of 53 days instead of 49. There will be fewer afternoon matches are a due to the hard climatic conditions of the gulf.
There will be total of 60 matches in this year 4 more than last year.
6. SPECTATORS POSSIBLE
As we are seeing that sports all over the world has been resumed with no spectators and IPL is most likely to be played the same way.
But Accodring to Indian Express,
“We will definitely want our people to experience this prestigious event but it is totally the government’s decision. For most events here, the number ranges from 30 to 50 per cent capacity, we are looking at a similar number. We are hopeful of getting our government’s approval on that,” he was quoted as saying by the PTI last week.
Spectators are the integral part of Cricket and therefore every cricket fan hoping for the cases to get low in UAE so that spectators can rejoin in-between the IPL.
7. The BIO-BUBBLE
The Major Factor that has allowed the resumption of cricket (international or franchise) is the concept of BIO-BUBBLE – in which the players are secured within a perimeter that contains the cricket ground and their living facility.
BIO-BUBBLE had several mental effects on players from last England vs West Indies Series.
“This year’s IPL winner will surely be the one that is strongest when it comes to mental and emotional fitness. In the end, it may not even depend on cricketing skills,” says Anand Chulani, source-Hindustan Times
Recently, In First-Ever Virtual Team meeting of IPL 2020, Virat Kohli Said - “We have followed what’s been told to us and I would expect everyone to be on the same page in terms of securing the bubble at all times and making sure that nothing is compromised,”
This is the most crucial and critical things that players have to always keep in mind as one mistake could "spoil" the entire Tournament.
What you guys think about these steps, are these sufficient?
I will love to hear some suggestion directly from you guys in the comments.
Which Team are you supporting this time and which team you think going to Lift the IPL trophy?
Mine is RCB always, What's yours? do support your team in the comment box.
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