The VIVO IPL 2021 is all set to start on April 9 in Mumbai with a match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and defending champions Mumbai Indians.
The match will go ahead despite the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the said venue.
Fans are still looking forward to seeing the upcoming season even if the matches are scheduled to take place behind closed doors. Cricket fans and punters are already looking forward to placing their bets online with the best IPL betting bonuses and offers.
While the BCCI remains confident that no necessary changes will be made, they still have Hyderabad in their contingency plans as a backup venue for the upcoming IPL season. The BCCI is still not worried about the current situation and this is mainly because all confirmed cases are being detected before anyone enters the bio-secure bubble.
“The objective of extensive pre-tournament testing is to eliminate all doubts before they enter the bubble. There is a need for concern only if an infection is detected within the bubble,” a BCCI official told the Hindu.
COVID-19 and IPL 2021 Latest Updates
The government has reported that Mumbai has over 8,000 new COVID-19 cases as of last week. In Maharashtra, the total is 47,827 and the number of deaths has already reached 200. This week, it was reported that Delhi Capital’s Axar Patel has tested positive for COVID-19.
Meanwhile, at the Wankhede Stadium, at least 10 ground staff have also contracted the virus. The stadium is scheduled to host a total of 10 games from April 10 to 25. Included in the list of people who tested positive are six members of the IPL’s operations and events management team. A member of the Chennai Super Kings’ content management team has also tested positive.
Based on the IPL’s SOP, these people who tested positive like the ground staff and the BCCI operation personnel will not be allowed to enter the bubble. The CSK team management crew member has not yet been in the bubble. According to them, the crew is being tested regularly.
Situation in Maharashtra
As reported, Maharashtra has over 47,800 COVID 19 cases with over 200 deaths. Because the cases are now dangerously rising, the chief minister of Maharashtra, Uddhav Thackeray addressed the people last week. He seems to have hinted that Maharashtra may have another lockdown if the situation does not improve in the next few days.
“Today, I am indicating a complete lockdown, but not announcing it formally. If things do not improve visibly in a couple of days and if no other solution is found, we will have to announce another lockdown like it is being done globally,” the CM said.
He also reported that the state is starting to run out of hospital beds and medical personnel due to the rise of the COVID 19 cases in the last month. This is why a lockdown may have to be implemented if things start to get worse.
It’s All About the Bubble
BCCI’s confidence in being able to push through with the scheduled matches in Mumbai is mainly thanks to the sanctity of the bio-secure bubble. The implemented SOPs should also help lessen the risks of running such a huge sports event during the pandemic.
Bio-secure bubbles have been the reason why sports leagues were able to make a comeback last year amidst the pandemic. The bubble works by letting everyone involved in the season stay in one place. No one will be allowed to leave the bubble for the duration of the whole season.
Last year’s IPL was also held in a bubble in the UAE. Not only the players will be involved in the bubble but also everyone else including crews and even media broadcasters. For this year, no one will be allowed to enter the bubble if they haven’t tested negative before doing so.
With that, everyone in the bubble should be virus-free as they are also not allowed to get into any physical contact with anyone else outside the bubble. Still, people inside the bubble will be regularly tested. If anyone suddenly experiences any symptoms, they will be required to undergo self-isolation.
The same happens if someone tested positive. They will only be allowed to re-enter the bubble if they tested negative twice. Aside from testing, players, crews, and broadcasters will still have their own designated places. Social distancing will still be implemented.