As per reports players practicing in Delhi and Ahmedabad might have broken the bio-bubble which might have led to players testing COVID positive. These two cities had no T20 specific facilities as well. Delhi and Ahmedabad are two cities with rapidly rising COVID cases and the BCCI scheduling matches in these cities have worked against them it seems. Besides, the two cities struggled for alternate practice facilities for teams.
While in Delhi, teams like the Chennai Super Kings used the Roshanara Club grounds for practice, those in Ahmedabad were forced to use Gujarat College ground.
Meanwhile, a BCCI official spoke about the board’s decision to host IPL matches in Delhi and Ahmedabad.
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Players Practicing in Delhi & Ahmedabad Led To Bio-Bubble Breach
“There is a belief within many Board of Control for Cricket of India (BCCI) and state officials that the decision to take the second phase to Delhi and Ahmedabad was wrong. There were four teams in each city and except for the main ground, which is an international-level facility and hosted matches, the alternate facilities meant for practice were open to exposure to Covid-19,” an official in the know of things told IANS.
IPL 2021: Delhi & Ahmedabad Grounds Not Ideal For Practice Sessions: BCCI Official
The practice facility at the Motera ground in Ahmedabad has another problem. Since the construction of annex grounds and full facilities isn’t complete, the available facility is not suited to practice big shots needed in T20 cricket.
“The problem with the newly-built Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera is that the adjoining grounds and facilities are still under construction. While it will be a state-of-the-art facility with multiple grounds, it is not yet completed. The teams can’t use the current practice nets as it is not suitable for big-hitting needed during T20 practice. It is okay for Test matches or first-class cricket practice,” said the official.
Bangalore and Kolkata were to host the last set of league games in IPL 2021. However, the season was suspended before that. Presently both the cities are experiencing a second wave of COVID threat.
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