The IPL will be back on September 18 as confirmed by the Indian Premier League Governing Council. The Dream IPL 2020 will last until November 10 and it will take place in the UAE. This is a change from the past years as the IPL has always taken place in March, April, or May in India.
The Sports industry seemingly hit the pause button back March because of the pandemic. Other sports events like the EPL, the NBA, the NCAA, and many more have chosen to cancel or postpone their scheduled matches to ensure everyone’s safety. It was mainly in June when sports events were once again allowed to push through.
Before the IPL Governing Council announced that the IPL will be back in September, many were just uncertain whether it will still push through. Surely, the announcement made in August made fans extremely excited to see the IPL this year despite everything that’s happening right now.
Fans are also looking forward to placing their bet on IPL in UAE 2020. The lack of sports events in the last few months have made odds that sportsbooks offer a bit scarce. The return of the IPL and other sports events is something that could surely help uplift the spirits of many.
The return of the IPL was not easily decided, however. The league has to make sure that everyone remains safe throughout the season. This is where the bubble comes in. Cricket is still considered a sport that is high-risk when it comes to the virus because players would be playing closely with each other. The IPL is also a big-league that consists of many staff members and other people and so, it will be a big risk to go through the season without any protocol or the bio-secure bubble.
Other sports leagues have done the same thing as the NBA. Everyone that will be involved in the whole season of a sports event will have to stay in one place and will not be allowed to be in physical contact with anyone else that is not in the bubble. This way, the risk of someone contracting the virus will be lessened.
Being in the bubble could help assure everyone involved that they will be safe as they do their jobs. However, this can still be mentally challenging because it means that they will have to away from their friends and families for over two months.
Pat Cummins, Australia’s all-rounder cricketer, has talked about how mentally challenging this can be. He said, in terms of the mental challenge over here, for sure, it is a long tour and when you add the IPL, you probably go on, especially without seeing your families. The important thing is you have to be prepared and come up with a game plan to manage yourself.”
Cummins also talked about how he is not that worried when it comes to their safety once the season starts. He said, “In terms of safety, I have got no worries at all, hearing about the length that they have gone to protect the tournament, the players, staff, it is huge. Here in England too, no stones have been left unturned, we feel safe and I am sure that it is going to be the same in the UAE as well from whatever I have heard.
“I know it is going to be a bit different from what an IPL normally feels like, but I hope the cricket is the same,” added the Kolkata Knight Riders pacer,” he added.
He was also asked about how they will be dealing with the weather in the UAE. This is, of course, different from where they are used to play. He said, “I know it is going to be a bit different from what an IPL normally feels like, but I hope the cricket is the same. I have played in the UAE when it is super hot and that is a nightmare, so we will see. I do not know exactly how hot and humid it is now.”
The strict protocols that the IPL has while everyone is in the bubble will be strictly implemented. If in case any breach will happen, the IPL assures that they will take the necessary actions. The IPL ensures that the safety of everyone is what matters most this season. Everyone in the bubble will also be frequently tested even if they are in the bubble.
