Game theory

Elaborate set of safety protocols are expected to ensure a Covid-19-free IPL season

A separate wing of the hotel or resort, a private beach, a gymnasium and swimming pool solely for the team, an exclusive tennis court and cycling track, rooms with a view or a balcony, and a dedicated Covid-19 treatment room. These were part of the must-have list of Indian Premier League franchises hunting hotels for their teams in the UAE, which will host season 13 of the IPL.

All eight teams had landed in the UAE by August 23; they had been tested thrice before they boarded chartered flights from India. Each member of the squads and support staff—franchises had sent around 60 persons each—went into the mandatory six-day isolation. Once they clear three Covid-19 tests, the players and staff will move into a ‘bio-secure bubble’.

That is not the end of testing. As per the BCCI’s standard operating procedure, every individual in the bio-secure bubble will be tested twice in their second and third week in the UAE. After that, there will be tests every fifth day for the remainder of the season.

Welcome to cricket in Covid-19 times. Rigorous testing will be paramount; specialist teams will ensure foolproof security. The sound of dhols and music after each shot or wicket will echo in empty stadiums, because keeping the bubble secure will be key to the season’s success. “One person’s negligence can bring down the whole tournament,” said Dhiraj Malhotra, chief executive officer of Delhi Capitals. “When the travel dates were announced, we had to test every player thrice. It was tough monitoring players at home and asking them to go into isolation. But everybody saw the bigger picture.”

Jake Lush McCrum, chief operating officer of Rajasthan Royals, is confident that the bio-secure bubble would remain safe. “Different zones have been identified for people with different roles within a group,” he said. “So even after the quarantine period is over, the zones will not mix with each other as much as possible. Individuals outside the bubble cannot come into contact with the players. That is a strict BCCI protocol everyone must follow.”

Setting up and maintaining the bubble has not been an easy task. “We have managed to form a healthy cohort of individuals around us and have enforced strict measures to keep it that way,” said Dr Charles Minz of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). “Anybody coming in contact with the team must undergo two Covid-19 tests; only after furnishing two negative reports can he be part of the bubble. This includes all hotel, security and transport staff. They, too, will have to follow strict protocols once they enter the bubble.”

Those inside the bio-secure bubble will only be able to travel from their hotel to the ground and vice versa. Teams have recruited their own net bowlers for training. All movements will be “tracked and traced” by Restrata, the security agency the BCCI has hired to keep the bubble secure. There will be around 450 persons in a venue during a match, including players and support staff, match officials, production staff and commentators, and security, housekeeping and administrative staff.

Satish Menon, chief executive officer, Kings XI Punjab, said everyone knew the importance of staying in the bubble. “I don’t think anyone will breach it,” he said. “The hotel we have chosen is exclusive to us, completely cordoned off; there is no way people can go out. There will be punitive action [if there is a breach].”

McCrum said the teams would soon get an SOP from Restrata, which would track all players and staff. “This will ensure that players are following protocols,” he said. “If there is a positive case, you will be able to see who that player has been in close contact with, and then you can isolate them as well. It will be a strict bubble, but given the fantastic facilities here, the players can relax and enjoy.”

Raring to go: Delhi Capitals players in Dubai Raring to go: Delhi Capitals players in Dubai

Team managements have been taking care of logistics ever since the BCCI announced in July that this year’s IPL will be held in the UAE. They had been testing domestic players and ensuring that they adhered to the standard procedures. “Our primary objective was to identify a hotel that is in complete compliance with the need of the team,” said Sanjeev Churiwala, chairman, RCB. “A full risk assessment was carried out while choosing the hotel. The SOP was explained to the hotel management. The dedicated staff serving the team members are part of the bio-secure environment; they will be tested every fifth day throughout the season.”

Menon said the weeks leading up to the team’s departure to Dubai were maddening. “Starting from the choice of hotel to the choice of facilities and the size of rooms, we went into even small details,” he said. “We wanted rooms with a balcony, and cycling track, private beach, gyms, swimming pools and gaming rooms to keep players occupied.”

McCrum said the Rajasthan Royals had plenty of time for preparation. “One key focus area was getting a really high-class hotel, which we have done,” he said. “The main focus, however, was to get the players and support staff [to the UAE] safely. Our international players [will] come in the next days and weeks.”

If a person in the bio-secure bubble tests positive, teams will follow strict guidelines. “[He] will not be allowed to enter the bubble,” said Churiwala. “Individuals who are awaiting test results will also not be allowed to enter until their negative report is available. Those who test positive will be in quarantine for 14 days, during which they will be tested on the tenth, thirteenth and fourteenth days. If the results from days 13 and 14 are negative, and if the individual does not have symptoms for more than 24 hours after that, [he] will be permitted to re-enter the bubble. After recovery, players will have to undergo cardiac screening before they resume team activities.”

The BCCI has prepared a list of accredited hospitals that would manage Covid-19 cases in the IPL. Each team has its own Covid-19 task force, and a senior team official will be in charge of the bubble. Teams are also planning to rope in psychologists.

Families were allowed to accompany players, but most players and officials chose to travel alone. “We don’t know how families will cope when the team goes for training,” said Malhotra. “The players have PlayStations, pools and virtual reality games to indulge in during off-time. But what will the families do?”

The season will last more than 80 days. Though the players are happy to resume competitive cricket, it will be tough to remain upbeat in the isolated bubble. “It will take time to settle down,” said Menon. “But once training starts, it will be intense. It won’t be easy, but there will be lots of practice games.”  

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