IPL 2020: Mumbai Indians introduce NBA’s ‘smart-ring’ to counter COVID-19 threat

With the Indian Premier League (IPL) set to start on September 19, taking precautionary measures in the COVID-19 pandemic has been one of the top priorities for the eight franchises and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Mumbai Indians (MI), in the meantime, have gone own step forward and introduced a special ‘smart ring’ used in the NBA.

The team is currently in Abu Dhabi and their players need to wear the personal heath-tracking device. Earlier, the BCCI came up with a Bluetooth-enabled contact tracing device and also asked the players to fill in a daily fitness form through a daily application. However, the Mumbai franchise decided to strengthen their safety measurement protocols.

Mumbai Indians tightens their grip

“The ring picks up a person’s vital data — heart rate, heart rate variation, respiratory rate and body temperature among other details — and then flags any irregular trend in advance so that the asymptomatic signals can be spotted at the earliest and dealt with,” a source was quoted as saying in The Times of India (TOI).

“The ring monitors the person’s pulse, movements and temperature to present a complete picture, so that helps in daily analysis. (National Basketball Association) has made use of the similar ring health device,” the source added.

MI, led by Rohit Sharma, are the four-time winners of the IPL and are also the defending champions. Hence, a lot would be expected of them. The team is learned to have created their own bio-secure bubble and also called outstation players to prepare for the tournament.

The franchises served the compulsory 14-day quarantine period, underwent COVID-19 tests and attended a camp in Navi Mumbai as well. The team has left no stone unturned in ensuring the safety of the players and the support staff associated with the T20 tournament.

“We were all covered head to toe, with PPE, mask, face shield and even three pairs of gloves. It was absolutely difficult to recognise the person next to you. Quite an experience, but we realised how necessary it was for our own safety. We have families here and there can’t be a safer place than the Mumbai Indians camp,” a player said.