|| Desk Report ||

The Indian Premier League governing council has reportedly asked the franchises and other stakeholders to delay on the travelling to UAE by nearly one week for the upcoming edition of the league.

According to a report in the Times of India, the measure has been taken to help put Covid-19 guidelines in a place for the league, which was earlier postponed owing to the global pandemic novel coronavirus.

However, most of the franchises decided to travel in the second week of August to prepare for the league as the players didn’t get time to train amid the current situation.

"We see logic in BCCI’s decision. They have to put certain protocols in place and coordinate with the UAE government to ensure that they will be followed to the ‘T’. For instance, we’ll be travelling by road between cities – Dubai to Sharjah to Abu Dhabi. So, will we be checked at all departure and entry points? How will two franchises – who have their separate bio-secure bubbles – coordinate with each other’s protocols on match days? BCCI has a lot on its hands and they can expect our full cooperation," team officials said to TOI.

However, franchises can travel with their full squads which also included a maximum number of 24 players - and they will likely to fly in with more players as they will need net bowlers, general physicians and others as well.

Moreover, the GC has also stated that family members of players will be allowed to travel but they have to be in the bio-secure bubble.

"They (players) will be in complete isolation. It can be very depressing. Family members are okay to travel as long as they will be part of the same bio-secure bubble," sources added.