BCCI shares detailed plan of IPL 2020 ahead of the Governing Council meeting on Saturday

The much-awaited T20 extravaganza and premier franchise league– IPL 2020– is likely to hit the floor this year in UAE, with the BCCI shortlisting the Middle East country to host the tournament amid the pandemic.

The thirteenth edition of the IPL was initially slated to start from March 29. However, the BCCI was left with no option but to postpone the tournament in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. But the BCCI is all set to host the tournament and resume the halted cricket scenario in UAE, from September 19.

The BCCI hasn’t made an official announcement as it first has to get the government’s go-ahead. The IPL Governing Council is also slated to meet on Saturday via teleconference to draw out ‘final’ plans regarding the tournament, followed by a meeting with the franchise owners, broadcasters and central sponsors on Sunday and Monday.

Only change will be in the SOPs with regards to COVID: Brijesh Patel

“In all these years of IPL, the responsibility of accommodation, hospitality, travel etc – during the IPL – has been of the team owners. Nothing is going to change this year. The only change will be in the SOPs with regards to COVID,” GC chairman Brijesh Patel said while confirming dates for the upcoming meetings, as quoted by The Times of India.

The COVID-19 outbreak has wreaked havoc all across the globe since the past few months. In order to curb the risk of coronavirus transmission, protocols will be put in place and the franchises will create their own biosecurity bubble during the course of the tournament. A similar bubble will be created for BCCI and the IMG staff and broadcasters. Nobody will be allowed to interact with individuals outside the bubble except through pre-appointed coordinators.

There will be no change in the distribution of BCCI’s revenue pool as all 60 matches of the IPL will be played across 51 days. Talking about the travel and accommodation in the UAE, the BCCI will coordinate with the franchises and provide them with ‘discounted hotel rates’ to figure out their travel arrangements and accommodation in the country.

Each franchise will also have their own medical team, which will stay with them during the whole tournament. The medical teams will be also bound to be in the biosecure bubble. Moreover, the BCCI will also set up a central medical team to coordinate with each franchise. The franchises will be also free to travel with extra players as there will be no change in the player policy.

“Once we share what we do with the franchises, we know there will be questions. We need to be thoroughly prepared,” said Patel ahead of the much-awaited GC meeting. A formal announcement regarding the detailed schedule of the IPL is also on the cards after the meeting.