XtraTime Web Desk: During this ongoing COVID-19 pandemic the BCCI is taking many precautionary measures to take care of their players and teams ahead of IPL 2020. Not only teams will have to follow BCCI guidelines and stay in BIO-BUBBLE created by the IPL authorities but also some special steps are being taken at the franchises end as well.
Firstly, almost every franchise management are exploring to block Chartered flights for the team travel to UAE and no regular flights will be used for the purpose. Secondly, franchises will not book five-star hotels for the squad in UAE, instead they are planning to book resorts and private apartments for the players in order to ensure complete safety for the squad from the Coronavirus.
Most of the teams have already taken a decision about where they will stay during the cash rich league. As per sources defending Indian Premier League champions Mumbai Indians will stay at Abu Dhabi during the league and their base will be The St. Regis Abu Dhabi. On the other hand two-time IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders will stay at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi. Both are the island properties. Virat Kohli led Royal Challengers Bangalore will stay at Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah beside famous Atlantis, The Palm. India’s star opener KL Rahul’s Kings XI Punjab will also stay just beside RCB during IPL 2020. They will stay at Sofitel Dubai, The Palm. Sunrisers Hyderabad too has decided to stay in Dubai and their base will be The Ritz-Carlton. Among all these team’s only MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings isn’t staying in any island property. They have decided to stay at the heart of the city in Taj Dubai which is next to iconic Burj Khalifa. Delhi Capitals is also looking for a sea front hotel while Rajasthan Royals is yet to confirm anything about their stay in the UAE.
BCCI is also set to create it’s temporary hub in Dubai and they have chosen Oberoy Dubai for that. The officials like BCCI President Sourav Ganguly, Secretary jay Shah, IPL Chairman Brijesh Patel will stay there when they will visit UAE during the grand event.