The BCCI is looking to vaccinate its players and there is no back up plan as of now for the upcoming IPL season according to treasurer Arun Dhumal. The COVID vaccination has started in different parts of the country and the cricket board is soon looking to start the process among its players. He also spoke on BCCI’s decision to scrape the Ranji trophy season, India’s victorious Australia tour, women’s cricket and much more.
Arun Dhumal spoke to the PTI on various issues and he started by saying the board is planning to stage the next IPL season in India which is why there are no talks of a backup plan as yet.
“We are working on having the IPL in India and we are hopeful that we would be able to organise it. We are not even thinking of a back up also at this point in time, we are wanting to do it here. India is probably safer than UAE at this point. Hopefully, the situation remains stable and keep improving and we will have it here,” said Dhumal.
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The BCCI signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Emirates Cricket Board during last year’s IPL, which is why the Arab nation was seen as a back-up option to host the world’s premier T20 event this season too.
The BCCI decided to scrape the Ranji Trophy season due to the lack of time to stage it all in a COVID hit domestic season. The Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy kickstarted India’s domestic season post the lockdown in the country. The matches were held behind closed doors with no fans in the stadiums. The tournament will culminate with the final between Baroda and Tamil Nadu on Sunday.
“We took feedback from the players, selection committee, state associations. It was felt that 2020 is already gone and rather than having two Ranji events in the same calendar year, it is better to go for white-ball cricket” said Dhumal, adding that players will be duly compensated for not getting to play in Ranji Trophy this season.
Arun Dhumal concluded by saying that the vaccination of the players remains the main concern for the board at the moment. With domestic cricket also being played in bio-secure bubbles, the treasurer said it is tough on the organisers as well as players.
Getting Players Vaccination Tough: BCCI Treasurer Arun Dhumal
“It is tough but at least this way we are getting to play. We are working on getting our players vaccinated. The government’s directive is that frontline workers and the most vulnerable will be the first to get vaccinated, but we are in touch with the government to get our players vaccinated” concluded Dhumal.
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