More Than 20,000 COVID-19 Tests to Take Place During Tournament

|| Cricfrenzy Desk ||

Over 20,000 COVID-19 tests will take place during the 13th edition of Indian Premier League said the medical partner of Twenty20 tournament on Thursday. The cash-rich T20 cricket league which is starting from September 19 will be played in United Arab Emirates this year because of the coronavirus pandemic and it will be played in empty stadiums.

While nearly 200 players from the eight teams have already reached last month, they have spent six days in isolation in their hotel rooms as well. After their arrival, they were tested for the coronavirus too. Even a final test took place two days after they moved into a secure "bio-bubble" too.

The rule is same for support staff, match umpires, officials from organizers the Board of Control for Cricket in India and others as well. VPS healthcare – the medical partner official based in Abu Dhabi, said on Wednesday that 3,500 tests have been done till date.

"During the course of the tournament, we will be conducting over 20,000 tests," a spokesman said to AFP.

"The movement of the players and other officials of the IPL are strictly restricted between the hotel and the stadium," the spokesman added.

However, the league hit the rock bottom before the start as 11 staff member and two players from the Chennai Super Kings tested positive. The players were Deepak Chahar and Rituraj Gayakwad. Apart from that, two key players from the team have opted out as well and they are Suresh Raina and veteran spinner Harbhajan Singh citing "personal reasons".

Along with them, Sri Lanka's Lasith Malinga (Mumbai Indians), Jason Roy (Delhi Capitals) of England have also pulled out from the cash-rich league while Australia player Kane Richardson withdrew his name for the birth of his first child as well.