All Indian Premier League teams will start training in Mumbai from March 14 or 15 and five training sites have been identified.
It is understood that the MCA site in Bandra Kurla Complex suburb, the MCA site in Thane, the site of Dr. DY Patil University and a soccer field along with the CCI (Cricket Club of India) and the Reliance Corporate Park site in Ghansoli have been identified by authorities as practice sites for the big-money tournament, which begins on March 26.
Players are expected to come to town starting March 8th.
GOVERNMENT OF MAHARASHTRA MEETING WITH OFFICIALS OF BCCI, MCA
The Maharashtra government held a meeting with the BCCI and the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) in south Mumbai on Wednesday to ensure the smooth running of the IPL, which is now a 10-team affair.
State government ministers – Aaditya Thackeray and Eknath Shinde – were present at the meeting along with MCA chief Vijay Patil and Apex councilors Ajinkya Naik and Abhay Hadap, and Treasurer Jagdish Achrekar.
After the meeting, Aaditya Thackeray said in a series of tweets: “In order to ensure the smooth running of the @IPL, Minister @mieknathshinde ji and I held a joint meeting of the IPL, @BCCI with officials from the Mumbai police and local authorities. Thane, Navi Mumbai.”
To ensure a smooth process @IPLminister @mieknathshinde ji and I held a joint meeting of IPL, @BCCI with officers from the Police and Municipal Bodies of Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai. pic.twitter.com/p7FhEv2BYM
— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) March 2, 2022
He also said that the state’s Deputy Prime Minister will soon hold a similar meeting for Pune, the other venue for IPL.
“For Pune, the meeting will be held soon, proposed to be chaired by DCM to ensure the tournament is held successfully at all our venues in the city,” said Aaditya, the son of Uddhav Thackeray, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
“Having IPL come to Maharashtra ensures that the games are not played abroad. This is a huge boost for the country as well as for Maharashtra in terms of economy, morale and the passion of cricket fans.”
3-5 DAYS QUARANTINE BEFORE ENTERING BUBBLE
It is also understood that all participants will be required to undergo an RT-PCR test 48 hours prior to their arrival in Mumbai.
It is also learned that players will have to go through 3-5 days of quarantine before entering their respective bubbles. In isolation, participants will undergo an in-room RT-PCR test three times, first on day 1, second on day 3, and last on day 5.
In the case of a three-day quarantine, participants are tested every day and if all three results are negative, they are allowed to leave the quarantine and start team activities.
It is also assumed that all participants/staff associated with the performance of IPL (bubble/non-bubble) will be subjected to an RT-PCR test every three to five days for the entire duration of the tournament.
While 10 luxury hotels were identified in Mumbai, two hotels in Pune were circled.
In terms of the broadcast/production team, there will be a total of three teams that will cover the IPL and while two teams will be based in Mumbai, one team will be based in Pune and five hotels have been identified for them in the two cities.
It was also learned that the teams would reach the training venues or the game venues through a special “green corridor” and even the teams would be allowed to use the Eastern Freeway to go from South Mumbai to Navi Mumbai or Thane.
City officials have also been asked to “beautify” the cities hosting the games.
25 PERCENT AMOUNT OF EVENTS
A member who was present at the meeting said that most likely 25 percent of spectators would be allowed into the venues.
The league phase of the IPL will be held in Mumbai and Pune.
While Wankhede Stadium and Cricket Club of India will host 20 matches each, DY Patil Stadium and Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium at Gahunje in Pune will host 15 matches.
It is assumed that double headers will most likely be played on 12 days.
