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XtraTime Web Desk: In a letter BCCI President Sourav Ganguly had written to all the state associations on June 10 that standard operation procedures (SOPs) for resumption will be shared in a couple of weeks time, TOI has reported.

The Indian Premier League 2020 has a window from September to first week of November and it is quite sure that the cash rich league will be played in UAE, but there is some anxiety among cricketers and the stakeholders of Indian cricket on why the BCCI is delaying the SOPs so far. The IPL franchises also believe they could have got a head start if the SOPs were in place. They are essentially targeting at least three weeks in UAE before the tournament starts.

In comparison, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) had released SOPs for federations way back on May 14.

In the past fortnight, cricketers (both Team India and domestic) have arranged their own training sessions. The likes of Mohammad Shami, Suresh Raina, Rishabh Pant, Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav have been training together. While BCCI, on its part, had declared that the players could start training at their local facilities, there were no specific guidelines for a practice session. Amateur cricketers and young academy players have also joined these sessions.

"The players are frustrated sitting idle in their homes. They have waited long enough and BCCI's intended camp is being pushed back. The players were always aware that IPL would happen this year. They had to get back to playing cricket. They are taking basic precautions but there is no one to monitor it," a senior India cricketer was quoted by TOI.

"These are not very technical sessions. These are more about getting the feel of the bat and ball. The players are playing with whatever equipment and facility is available to them," he added.

The IPL franchises are also aware that the players need time to get match-ready besides narrowing down on their logistical arrangements. "The franchises have been told that BCCI would come up with SOPs very specific to the league. The franchises are expecting some clarity in the next 10 days. The teams have been in touch with the players. It's important for them to get back in touch with cricket besides doing physical training," a senior franchise official told TOI.

"The teams have already got down to work and are taking cues from how various sporting events are being conducted currently.

They have also started coordinating with hotels in Dubai. There's the Test series on in England. EPL is running smoothly too. So we can pick up ideas from them. BCCI is also likely to do the same. The ICC also has issued standard SOPs." he added.

As for the general SOPs for the resumption of cricket outside IPL, BCCI doesn't seem to be in any hurry. "There's not much certainty about the Covid-19 situation in India. The board can't rush into resuming cricket in the country. They will be out when the time's right," a top BCCI official told TOI. It is also learnt that the BCCI had prepared SOPs for state and national teams but they haven't been approved by the office-bearers. "The SOPs for state and national teams can't be same as ICC's. BCCI needs to take into account the variables in India," the official added.