A huge-roadblock lie in front of English and Australian contingent of internationals participating in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), scheduled to be hosted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
England is currently hosting their summer of cricket featuring teams such as West Indies, Australia, Ireland and Pakistan. Australia is slated to tour the UK for a three-match ODI and T20I series which is expected to conclude on September 16.
Their international schedule ends up only three days before the start of IPL 2020, i.e., September 19.
Moreover, according to TOI, Standard of Procedure (SOP) dictates overseas players from England and Australia to fly in a week early and go into quarantine in UAE.
“Player availability is not a concern any more. It’s about getting them to UAE and seeing them through the quarantine window,” a source close to the matter informed in a report.
Given the fact that board members have provided NOCs to its players, the onus now lies on franchises to organize their travel and accommodation, to and fro.
“The BCCI and Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) are sharing accommodation details with the franchises with discounted rates. It is now for the franchises to consider it or make their own arrangements,” the report further states.
Team India physiotherapist Nitin Patel, along with trainer Nick Webb, will be sent to the Middle East to moderate the availability of Indian internationals to be sent to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
“They have coordinated with the players for over the last four months through video conferencing. In UAE, they’ll have the opportunity for better interaction,” another source privy to the development quoted.
However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to receive clearance from the Indian government to move the cash-rich league to UAE. Only after Government’s approval the itinerary of the tournament will be finalized.
