Despite completing a mandatory 6-day quarantine period in the UAE, the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises, Mumbai Indians (MI) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are yet to receive permission to start training from Friday. BCCI officials say this is because of the new Covid-19 restrictions in Abu Dhabi. Instead of six, now the franchises will be undergoing a 14-day quarantine period. Mumbai and Kolkata are based there.
On the other hand, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are still awaiting permission to start training. They are in Dubai with six other teams. They had to be in quarantine for six days. Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) hit the nets on Thursday after completing that. If they get permission, CSK is likely to follow suit.
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However, there is yet to be on any clarity on MI and KKR since they have landed in Abu Dhabi on August 21. The BCCI’s recce team led by IPL Governing Council chairman Brijesh Patel and acting CEO Hemang Amin and they had discussions with the local authorities in UAE. Sudden rose in the number of cases in Abu Dhabi has added to their woes.
The new set of guidelines issued by the Department of Health, Abu Dhabi, read: “Entry will be allowed within 48 hours of receiving a negative PCR test result or with a negative DPI laser test result accompanied by a negative PCR test result received within 6 days. The Committee states that the same type of test cannot be taken twice in a row within 6 days.”
BCCI officials still didn’t have any discussion with the franchises. When they do, there are certain chances that some tough questions will be raised. Teams are saying BCCI didn’t inform them about different quarantine rules in the three cities when the standard operating procedures were released.
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The officials of the Indian board, who were involved in meetings till late Thursday as Friday have now holidaying UAE when government institutions are shut. The initial plan was to stage 21 matches in Abu Dhabi. Now, Dubai and Sharjah may have to host more matches.
