New rules for IPL 2021 announced by BCCI: Details

As the second phase of the Indian Premier League is all set to begin next month, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reportedly issued a 46-page health advisory comprising a list of new rules to be followed by the cricketers during their stay at the UAE over the course of the tournament.

The BCCI and Emirates Cricket Board will be allowing spectators in the stands during the second phase of the cash rich league, and hence a ball that goes into stands will be replaced and the original ball will be sanitised after being recovered and will be placed in the ball library. A copy of the health advisory accessed by a news agency reads, “If the cricket ball goes in the stands or outside the stadium, the fourth umpire will provide a replacement from the library of cricket balls. The previous ball when returned will be sanitized with alcohol-based wipes and/or UV-C by the fourth umpire and placed in the library.”

“The team bus drops the players straight on to the tarmac thereby avoiding the need for players to pass through the airport terminal building (and thus) preventing contact with other people outside the Bio-Secure Environment. Use of any other facility at the Golf Club viz. bars, restaurants, cafes, gymnasium, etc., is prohibited. Use of locker rooms at the Golf Club is prohibited. IPL participants must arrive at the Golf Club wearing their Golf apparel to avoid use of locker rooms for changing. Shower facilities at the Golf Club must not be used,” the circular added.

The BCCI announced in May that the remaining matches of the 14th edition of IPL will be moved to the UAE in view of the Covid-19 pandemic in India. The cash rich league was suspended in early May after several players tested positive for Covid-19 despite staying in a bio secure environment. CSK will be taking on defending champions Mumbai Indians on September 19 in the first match of the upcoming session.