Highlights:
- Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians can now start their training for IPL 2020
- IPL Governing Council has to intervene in the matter
- Both the teams were asked to complete 14 days quarantine before they could start training
The 13th edition of the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) franchises Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians which are based in Abu Dabhi can now officially resume their training. The Emirates of Abu Dabhi has decided to relax the quarantine norms for both of these franchises after the Board of Cricket for Control in India (BCCI) into the matter.
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Going by the quarantine norms in Abu Dabhi, both Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians were required to complete 14 days quarantine before they could get the permission to begin their training.
On the other hand, their counterparts who were based in Dubai had already started with their training after completing their 6 days mandatory quarantine period.
Both the IPL 2020 franchises based in Abu Dabhi sought the Governing Council of the Indian Premier League to intervene in the matter on Wednesday. According to the report, the Chairman of the GC of the IPL, Brijesh Patel, along with other members of BCCI held a meeting with the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) to resolve this issue on the evening of Thursday.
After the support from the office of Chief of ECB, both KKR and MI were shown green flags to start their training for the IPL 2020.
The members of BCCI who were based out of Dubai also discussed and have almost resolved all the issues which are pending related to the schedules of the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League, in the meeting.
The two Emirates, Dubai and Abu Dabhi, have separate protocols for COVID-19, in addition, there are travel restrictions between the two cities as well.
While entering Abu Dhabi, one has to undergo mandatory rapid tests. Only after a negative test one can cross the border.
With 2 matches played each day, such strict process cannot work especially when the teams are travelling for the game. This is the reason why the BCCI is yet to declare the schedule for this year’s IPL.
Having said this, after the meeting with the ECB officials and the intervention of the Emirates Cricket Board Chief Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak most of the issues concerning smooth operations have been resolved.
Sheikh Nahyan is also the Minister of Culture and Youth Development for the UAE. After the request from BCCI, ECB Chief has personally intervened in the matter and has managed to break the deadlock.
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As per the reports, BCCI could release the IPL 2020 schedule in next 24 hours.
In the meantime, Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab have already started their training for the IPL 2020 at the ICC Academy in Dubai. After completing all the necessary procedures including the 6 day mandatory quarantine, the skipper of KXIP, K L Rahul, shared pictures on his Instagram writing, “169 days later, it’s good to be back”.
