IPL 2020: Shane Watson gives a sneak peak into his quarantine life in the UAE

The pinnacle of T20 cricket exhibition, the Indian Premier League (IPL) is less than a month away. The players have started reaching the destination, United Arab Emirates (UAE), for the mega event already. The cricketers can be seen wearing PPE kits while at the airport. This is going to be the most different IPL of all time. The time has changed and everyone has started to adopt to the ‘new normal’.

The players this year have to go through a very rigid set of protocols set by the BCCI amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. The players are travelling to UAE but they had to go through two COVID-19 test before flying which were 24 hours apart.

Also, they have to get three more tests done in the six days of quarantine upon reaching. Once these five tests are completed, they can join the bio-secure bubble and then they will be tested every 5th day after joining it. The families, travelling with the cricketers is also following the procedures as instructed by the apex body of cricket in India.

I have got a beautiful view of the Burj Khalifa- Watson shares a video message while being in quarantine

Shane Watson, the former Australian allrounder plays for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. He is one of the most loved foreign players in India and his successful outings for the yellow army makes him one of the players to watch out this year. The star player became one of the first CSK players to reach UAE and he gave a glimpse of what the cricketers will go through during their first seven days of quarantine.

Watson is looking to work on his blog ‘T20 stars’ during the self-isolation period. The opening batsman is also enjoying the night view of the city from his Burj Khalifa facing hotel room. “I am now quarantined for seven days with a few COVID testing to make sure everything is okay. I am getting used to being in a room with plenty to do.

“I have got a beautiful view of the Burj Khalifa. I am going to be doing some exercises, walking up and down my room, listening to podcasts, plenty of T20 Stars stuff as well as my preparation, getting ready for the CSK training camp. I am so excited to be here for another IPL campaign,” Watson said in a video message.

My 7-Day room bound quarantine here in Dubai has just started. It’s so cool to be here to get into the preparation for another exciting season of @IPL for @ChennaiIPL. #SafetyFirst #WhistlePodu #superexcited pic.twitter.com/0cdrkv0oCK

— Shane Watson (@ShaneRWatson33) August 21, 2020

The CSK players including Raina and MS Dhoni were a part of a training camp in Chennai from 15-20 August. The camp was organized exclusively for Indian players as none of the foreign player including Watson was a part of it. The Indian batch of players will travel to UAE on Friday except for Harbhajan Singh who will join them later as his moth is unwell.