'Strict instructions have been given' - BCCI warns players; instructs to follow all protocols

Amid the rapid coronavirus surge in India, and after considering several parameters, UAE was selected the venue nation for the 13th season of the Indian Premier League. According to the latest reports, COVID-19 cases are witnessing a spike in the gulf country, and that makes BCCI worried a bit more about cricketers.

Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab have already landed in the host nation. Strict guidelines and measures have already been laid down by BCCI, and each and everything will be done inside the bio-secure bubble. The cash-rich T20 league will get underway from September 19 to November 10. Two teams are already there, and the rest of them will be reaching there in a day or two.

In the latest development surrounding IPL, a senior BCCI official said as quoted by India TV, “Strict instructions have been given to all the players, coaching staff, owners, and other members. We don’t want that because of someone’s mistake, others get infected and suffer.”

Every player is expected to be more responsible: BCCI official

“UAE will provide all the help needed regarding the safety of players (medical or other). The team owners have also been asked not to roam here and there freely because coronavirus cases are no less in that nation. After so many delays, the IPL is going to happen and everybody will have to respect it and be more responsible,” added the official.

All the guidelines and measures are in place, and every other thing is being taken care of at an optimum level, but it boils down to players too. The players who have reached the gulf country are expected to stay in the boundaries and not breach the bio-secure bubble.

In the wake of this pandemic, Cricket boards around the world have been too strict so far. Recently, Pakistan player Mohammad Hafeez was asked to isolate himself and undergo five-day quarantine after he was found moving out of the venue and got clicked with a lady fan. He got to join the squad after testing negative for COVID-19. In the same way, England Cricket Board dropped Jofra Archer from a Test match after he went to his home casually to pick some of his requirements.