Indian Premier League’s 13th edition – IPL 2020 is already underway, with the finals slated to be played on November 8, 2020. However, considering the Covid19 Pandemic, and how badly it has impacted India, the tournament has been shifted out of the country and is being played in UAE.
With Bundesliga’s return to action in May, other sports leagues also started working on their return plans. The pinnacle cricket league of India, IPL made a final return to action on September 19, 2020. However, things are slightly different compared to the past 12 editions of the tournament. Let’s acquaint you with the top 5 changes that make IPL 2020 unique this time.
Being held in UAE:
As also mentioned above, IPL 2020 is being played in UAE this time, in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. BCCI has ensured that separate hotels are allocated to franchises and social distancing is maintained in dressing rooms. Recommendations have also been issued for outdoor and virtual team meetings, as a part of multiple directives issued by the board. Players weren’t allowed to meet their teammates upon their arrival in the Emirates. They could interact with the rest of the team members only after returning 3 back-to-back negative Covid19 results, after arriving in UAE. All the franchises also have a dedicated team doctor responsible for ensuring the bio-security guidelines all through the tournament.
No spectators in the stadiums:
Considering the rising number of Covid19 cases throughout the world, IPL 2020 is being played without any spectators inside the stadiums. A special #Select Dugout has been curated by Star Sports, the official broadcaster of the tournament. It will offer cricket fans interesting statistics, augmented reality features, in-depth analysis and much more, through a select group of experts.
Change in timings:
Mumbai Indians, the defending champions took on Chennai Super Kings, the runners- up of the last season in the opening match on September 19. While the afternoon matches start at 3:30 PM IST, the evening matches also start a bit early at 7:30 PM IST. In essence, the timings have been preponed by half an hour.
Bio-bubble:
The bio-bubble of IPL is different from the other bio-bubbles we have seen lately, in the manner how spread out it is. The bio-bubble witnessed in England, which hosted West Indies, then Pakistan, followed by Australia, involved only a couple of venues, with the entire officials, staff and players residing on site. On the other hand, Caribbean Premier League put all its staff and players in one single hotel. In case of IPL, the 8 teams are staying at different hotels spread over Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The teams will be travelling to practice venues on a daily basis.
Social distancing:
A detailed SOP (Standard Operating Procedures) has been issued to every IPL franchise. It contains detailed safety protocols that must be followed by each one of them, right from the time of boarding their chartered planes to UAE, till the final delivery of the tournament is bowled. Regular tests will be carried out throughout the tournament to prevent the possibility of asymptomatic spread of coronavirus.
