2020 has been a very different year and we’re sure you would all agree. Travel, education and businesses have changed and so have major events across the world. IPL was one of the most awaited events of the year. IPL 2020 was originally scheduled to begin on March 29. But after the Covid pandemic broke out, the event had to be postponed indefinitely.
IPL 2020: Teams Start Arriving In The UAE
On Sunday August 2, the governing council of the league confirmed that IPL 2020 will be held in the UAE. The most awaited event will be held at three venues across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah. The matches will run from September 19 to November 10. Players will still have to undergo a week’s isolation and testing before they can join their teams. Meanwhile, here are 7 Summer Staycation Deals In Dubai Where Kids Can Stay For FREE.
Teams have started arriving in the UAE ahead of the mega event. For the very first time in history, players walked out of the airport, clad in PPE suits. The players were greeted with ‘Marhaba,’ the traditional Arabic welcome, as they jetted into the country on chartered flights.
The Rajasthan Royals landed in Dubai airport on 20 August, followed by Kings XI Punjab. The Kolkata Knight Riders, winners in 2012 and 2014, jetted into Abu Dhabi upon arrival. Here’s where the IPL 2020 teams will be staying in the UAE.
Players To Remain In Their Rooms For One Week
Soon after landing, all the teams were whisked away to their hotels with utmost safety and precautions. All players were clad in PPE suits. Unlike the usual ‘rose water’ welcome, this time the teams were sprayed with sanitizers before heading to their rooms.
The teams will have no human contact for the first week, and will quarantine in their respective bio-secure rooms. The players spent time talking to each other through balconies. Besides, they were also handed over a fitness plan by their trainers. The hotel staff will deliver all items outside the room, ring the doorbell, and leave. The players must then wait a minute before opening the room door to collect food or toiletries left outside the door. No contact with other players or even the house keeping staff will be permitted for seven days. At the end of week 1, all players will be tested for Covid-19. Only if they test negative, will they be able to meet other players and start training.
The players will also have online practice sessions, separate gyms and an online trainer on call. Webinars with coaches and other specialists will be conducted until on-field training starts in the second week.
Well, as of now, the first IPL 2020 challenge- week one in quarantine has begun for the players!