Indian Premier League (IPL) has already been given the clearance by the Emirates Cricket Board to conduct the T20 league. IPL 2020 is all set to take place from September 19- November 8 in UAE. The IPL governing council conference will take place on August 2 that will chart out the ‘final plan’ for the league this year.
The meeting will be through teleconference that will consist of all their principal stakeholders, franchise owners, broadcasters and central sponsors. The BCCI shared the following plans with Times of India on Monday.
BioSecure Bubble: To ensure every player’s protection during the tournament every franchise will create their bio bubble in which the team will only be interacting with a limited number of people in their ecosystem or given to them by BCCI. A bio bubble will also be built for BCCI, Broadcaster, IMG staff etc. No one will be able to interact with anyone outside the bio bubble except through pre-appointed coordinators.
BCCI shares a complete plan for IPL 2020
Revenue Pools: Considering all 60 IPL matches are being played in 51 days, there will be no change in the division of BCCI’s central revenue pool.
Gate money: Had the IPL not happened, franchises wouldn’t be looking at any income. Letting go of gate money, the board says, is “pittance”.
Travel & accommodation: All the responsibility regarding the travel and accommodation will solely be of all franchises in the UAE. BCCI will adjust with the UAE authorities to ensure “discounted hotel rates” and share it with all the franchises. It will be the franchise’s discretion to settle for options provided by BCCI or make their arrangements. Franchises will travel their players to UAE and back, as is the case while IPL in India.
Medical assistance: Franchises will have to arrange their own medicals teams whereas BCCI will provide a central medical team. All the onus of testing during the entire IPL 2020 will be on the franchises who will coordinate with BCCI’s medical team on a 24X7 medical bases.
Player replacement & loaning: There will be no change in the player policy and the franchises will be free to travel with extra players to avoid last-minute travels.
The BCCI and IPL’s governing council are working on all the details to prepare a draft on these policies. The stakeholders are likely to discuss it in their meeting on Sunday and all the details will be shared with the franchises. IPL 2020 schedule may also be finalised during the meeting which will be played during September 19- November 8 in UAE.
“Once we share what we do with the franchises, we know there will be questions. We need to be thoroughly prepared,” said IPL Governing Council chairman Brijesh Patel.