The 13th edition will be staged from September 19 and the final will be played on November 10, 2020, at three venues.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has received in-principle permission from the Indian government to conduct its 13th edition in the UAE, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) sources confirmed on Friday.
The 13th edition of the T20 tournament will be staged from September 19 and the final will be played on November 10, 2020, at three venues (Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah) in the UAE.
The BCCI has even handed over the detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) for the IPL 2020 to the franchises. According to the SOP’s, franchises have been instructed primarily on eight accounts.
The accounts are related to testing, accommodation, social distancing at the ground and in hotels, the appointment of team doctors and various other aspects.
The BCCI has instructed the IPL franchises to minimize the contact not only with the other franchises but also with-in the squads.
So here are some things that fans will miss at IPL 2020 in the UAE.
1. No mascots, No handshakes, No sharing equipment
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According to SOP: at the toss, electronic team sheets should be considered. No mascots should be present. Social distancing should be maintained. There should be no handshakes and television camera operators must maintain their distance.
Players and staff should only use their own equipment and there should be no sharing.
No handshakes or any contact between teams. Minimal on-field media may be present for post-match presentations, but technology may allow remote interviewing.
2. No fans on stadium
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In the SOP it is also mentioned at the BCCI is working with numerous agencies including the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), UAE authorities, medical experts, among others to look at conducting IPL 2020 behind closed doors.
These guidelines may be amended from time to time depending on the existing COVID-19 situation and the guidelines issued by the local health agencies and Government.
3. No dressing room interviews
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SOP: It is important for players and staff to socially distance while in the dressing room. The Bio-Secure Environment means only essential staff will be on-site and no members of the public will be allowed.
There will be more vacant areas at the stadium and hence the dressing room won't have to remain within the traditional area.
4. No Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta
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SOP: Franchise owners who breach the Bio-Secure protocols will have to quarantine for 7 days and return two negative PCR tests on Day 6 and Day 7, to be allowed to re-enter the Bio-Secure Environment.
If they are not a part of the Bio-Secure Environment created for the players and team support staff, video and remote conference call technology will be needed to be used to interact within the Bio-Security Environment.
If the franchise team owners are not a part of the Bio-Secure Environment, they won't be permitted to travel on the same vehicle carrying players and team support staff to the venues for training and matches.
5. Families are not permitted to enter the PMOA and field of play
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SOP: Families are not permitted to travel on the same vehicle carrying players and team support staff to the venues. Families are not permitted to enter the PMOA and field of play at any time during training and matches.
Any family member who breaches the protocols will have to be quarantined for 7 days and return two negative PCR tests on Day 6 and Day 7, to be allowed to re-enter the Bio-Secure Environment.
