Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has asked all the eight franchises to ensure that every member travelling to United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the Indian Premier League (IPL) Phase 2 is fully vaccinated before leaving India.
"We have been told that all those travelling should have completed taking both the doses of vaccination so that there is no problem once teams reach UAE. The quarantine process is most likely going to be seven days before teams can start training," a source told ANI.
In July, BCCI announced the schedule for IPL 2021 Phase 2 in UAE. In the duration of 27 days, a total of 31 matches will be played. In May this year, IPL 14 was postponed after several Covid-19 cases were reported inside the IPL bio-bubble.
The first match of IPL 2021 Phase 2 will be played between heavyweights Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians on September 19 in Dubai. The next game will be played in Abu Dhabi where the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will take on Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) speedster Pat Cummins hasn't made an official announcement but is most likely to miss the UAE leg of the cash-rich league.
"Unfortunately, at this stage, I probably won't be going to the IPL. I haven't made an official call on it. But my partner is pregnant and our baby is due in the middle of the IPL. At the moment, there is a travel restriction to get back to Australia, you got to do 2 weeks quarantine," the Australian fast bowler said on his YouTube channel.
Meanwhile, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed that England Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed availabilty of its players for IPL 2021 Phase 2.