XtraTime Web Desk: The Governing Council members will meet over a virtual conference on Sunday to discuss the key points for organizing the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2020). Although the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to receive the Government nod yet (at the time of writing this report), it is expected they will soon receive it. All the eight franchises, broadcasters along with the stakeholders are awaiting the outcome of the meeting as they start preparations for the league to be played at the UAE from September 19-November 08.
The most important agenda of Sunday’s meeting will be to formulate the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), schedule of the tournament, confirmation of availability of foreign players and logistics.
Standard Operating Procedures: The franchises will be eager to know about the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in place during the tournament. They will have a better picture about the Do’s and Don’ts. It is learnt that there will be a Bio Bubble created at the team hotel much like what England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had it in place for the recently concluded series against West Indies. The players, support staffs and franchise owners will have to strictly abide by the health protocols within the Bio Bubble. No one will be allowed to go out of the Bio Bubble without the prior permission.
Schedule of the tournament: Another key point that will be discussed at Sunday’s Governing Council meeting is the schedule and format of the tournament. It is already decided that the matches will be played across three venues over a period of 51 days (September 19-November 08). The three stadiums are Dubai International Stadium, Sharjah stadium and Sheikh Zayed Stadium. There was a request from the broadcasters to extend the final to November 10. It is learnt that there will be less double headers this time.
Availability of foreign players: The players from England, Australia and Sri Lanka are likely to miss the first week’s action owing to their commitments for their respective boards. England and Australia will be involved in a series in September featuring three ODIs and T20Is. The final ODI will be played at the Old Trafford on September 16. So, the cricketers from both countries will only be able to leave UK on or after September 16. Sri Lanka Cricket had recently announced that they will start their inaugural Lanka Premier League, the final for which is September 20. The West Indies players along with some of the foreign stars will be busy till September 10 with the Caribbean Premier League. Not to forget that South African players have their own problem as the increase in cases has seen the federal government restrict air travel. And so, franchises want clarity on these matters.
Logistical planning: Franchises are more or less convinced that the players deserve to have at least their immediate family with them for a short span of time through the 51-day period. It was earlier reported that the wives and wags will not be allowed to stay at the same hotel with the players. The franchises did fret over such a discussion. Whether or not the wives and wags will be allowed to stay with their husbands and boyfriends will be discussed at the GC.