The UAE phase of IPL 2021 kicks off with Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians playing the first game in Dubai. KKR and RCB play the second game in Abu Dhabi a day after. The BCCI decided to postpone the IPL season due to multiple positive cases in various camps. Meanwhile, CSK opener Robin Uthappa has shared his thoughts on how difficult it was coping with the COVID norms in India.
Players from various franchises started quarantining almost a month before the IPL. The first half of the IPL was played in Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi and Ahmedabad. Uthappa extensively spoke about the degrading COVID situation of Delhi and how difficult was it for the mental state of the players throughout the first half.
It Just Felt Ominous: Robin Uthappa
Talking to Gaurav Kapoor’s Podcast on Spotify, Robin Uthappa narrated his harrowing experience of staying in the Delhi bio-bubble.
” It was, but it also was a little scary. When we were in Bombay lt looked like everything is going to be fine. We felt safe. We knew that we needed to stick to the bubble and stay disciplined. But I have to be honest and say that when we got to Delhi, it did not feel right. It just felt ominous and felt like something is going to happen. It just did not feel safe and secured enough” said Uthappa.
He also spoke about how the different players were scared on being not allowed to meet their families for a length of time. However, now the entire CSK squad including Robin Uthappa is in the UAE preparing for the second half of the tournament.
CSK are placed in the second position at the moment with five wins from seven games. Delhi Capitals with six wins are topping the table at the moment.
CSK Schedule For IPL 2021 UAE Leg
Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians – 7:30 PM IST, September 19, Dubai International Stadium, Dubai.
Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Chennai Super Kings – 7:30 PM IST, September 24, Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah.
Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders – 3:30 PM IST, September 26, Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi.
Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Chennai Super Kings – 7:30 PM IST, September 30, Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah.
Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings – 7:30 PM IST, October 2, Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi.
Match 50: Delhi Capitals vs Chennai Super Kings – 7:30 PM IST, October 4, Dubai International Stadium, Dubai.
Match 53: Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings – 3:30 PM IST, October 7, Dubai International Stadium, Dubai.
Also Read: IPL 2021: Royal Challengers Bangalore To Sport Blue Jersey Against Kolkata Knight Riders
