The much-awaited 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2021) will resume in UAE to finish the second leg of the tournament. The franchise officials are planning to fly to UAE after July 6 to check all the facilities about COVID 19 protocols and to finalize logistics.
The Indian T20 league was suspended indefinitely after the completion of 29 matches due to coronavirus cases found across multiple franchises. A total of four players, two coaches, and many support staff were found COVID positive. Unfortunately, almost all ground staff of the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi were tested COVID positive.
Despite the second wave of COVID hitting India terribly. A few weeks back The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced that the remaining 31 matches and group stage matches will be played in the three venues of UAE. The tournament is scheduled to resume on September 19 and the final of the IPL 2021 is scheduled for October 10.
New Zealand players to be available for the remaining of IPL 2021. (IPL franchise official to CricketCOM).
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 24, 2021
Unlike Last Year, Bulk Bookings Won’t Be As Easy This Year As You Will Have People Travelling Into The Country: Franchise Official
However, franchises will have their officials flying down to UAE to make arrangements because, unlike last year, people in the country are allowed to travel in the country freely and bulk bookings won’t be available easily. It will be a difficult job this time.
“We are looking at heading to the UAE post-July 6 once we get the go-ahead from the BCCI and the government so that we can seal the logistical deals. Unlike last year, bulk bookings won’t be as easy this year as you will have people traveling into the country and that makes the workaround bio-bubbles all the more critical,” the official explained.
“We sent in a request to the BCCI to travel, but we have been asked to wait for the approval. While we had a good stay last time, we are looking at ways to making things even better this time around and that is the reason why we want to be present there while dealing with the hotel management,” another official said.
#IPL2021 Phase II:
Start Date: Sep 19th.. Finals – Oct 15th..#T20WorldCup
Start Date: Oct 17th.. Finals – Nov 14th..
Both the tournaments will happen in #UAE – #GCC
— Ramesh Bala (@rameshlaus) June 26, 2021
The Earlier We Can Zero In On The Logistics, The Better For All Of Us: Franchise Official On Finalizing Deals
One of the officials told that they are looking forward to changing the hotel and to do so it is important for them to be physically present to monitor everything and close the deal.
“We are looking at a new option and if we get a good deal, we will be looking to close the deal at the earliest. You need the hotel staff and the travel staff like drivers to also undergo quarantine and RTPCR tests before entering the bio-bubble. So, the earlier we can zero in on the logistics, the better for all of us,” the official told ANI.
The IPL franchises will also be looking forward to getting big overseas players to play in the second half of IPL 2021 because many cricket boards have denied the presence of their players in the IPL due to tight international schedules. England cricket board has clearly stated that their players won’t be available for the second leg of IPL 2021.
