IPL to Get Postponed Again? Officials raise Doubts as UAE reports Spike in COVID19 Cases!

All the IPL teams have reached UAE. Currently, six teams are in Dubai, while Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders are based in Abu Dhabi. It is said that Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab will begin their training this week at Sharjah. However, the schedule for this year’s tournament is not announced yet.

According to a report in The Hindu, there are some problems that the BCCI is facing with regards to the availability of Abu Dhabi for venue due to a new spike in COVID-19 cases. Abu Dhabi is currently making rapid tests mandatory upon entry in order to contain the spread of the deadly virus. This will add to the cost of the teams and the crew.

While the BCCI was previously planning on excluding Abu Dhabi as a venue for matches, they have now decided to restrict the number of matches at the venue.

“It could be a case of two teams playing home and away games back to back, similar to 2011,” an IPL insider was quoted saying to News18. “As of now, Abu Dhabi could host a few matches only in the first half.”

Adding to this, BCCI is also not in a positing to invite its officials from state units to the matches, especially the ones in the beginning as they have to follow a strict bio-bubble. BCCI’s secretary Shah also wrote an email to the state units regarding the same where he expressed his regret. He wrote, "While I am confident that we would be able to deliver a memorable tournament, I will be approaching the start of the tournament with a heavy heart as your absence would render the opening incomplete."