Reports: Cricket to move away from bio-bubble and adopt Premier League model

The bio-bubbles have become an integral part of cricketer’s life ever since the action came to the field after COVID-19 took over the world. However, prolonged stays in bio-bubbles have been affecting players a lot mentally and it is hampering their performances too. As per the latest report, cricket is all set to adopt a Premier League-type model which will move away from the bubble.

In a meeting conducted by ICC’s Chief Executive Committee on November 12, the members agreed that the bio-bubble model isn’t sustainable for a long time. As per the reports by close source, a Premier League model where only the infected person (not even closed contacts) will be put into the quarantine is in talks for now. However, regular testing of stakeholders keeps taking place in such an environment.

“In the Premier League, they don’t even send the close contacts to isolation. Only those who test positive, go into quarantine,” an ICC close source said as quoted by The Indian Express.

The prolonged bubble stay for players is not fetching them any good and it is eventually showing up in their performances. Talking about the Indian team, they were in bio-bubble for more than six months. It started when they moved for the final of WTC 2019-2021 which was followed by their England series and then the IPL 2021 (UAE phase) and T20 WC followed.

If you’re in a bubble as well, your average will come down: Ravi Shastri

Even formed head coach Ravi Shastri pointed the matter of bio-bubble fatigue after India’s last T20 WC match against Namibia. Many players even associated India’s dismal run in the tournament with the bio bubble fatigue.

“When you’re six months in a bubble, there are a lot of players who play all three formats of the game. In the last 24 months, they’ve been home for 25 days. I don’t care who you are, if your name is Bradman, if you’re in a bubble as well, your average will come down because you’re human. But sooner or later, the bubble will burst. So, you’ve got to be careful,” said Ravi Shastri after India’s last match in T20 WC.