T20 tournament – IPL – will kick off in September. As per the new schedule of IPL 2021 phase-2 to be held in UAE. A total of 31 matches including playoffs and finals will be played from September 19 to October 15. Reports suggest that the tournament will have some revised rules as spectators are likely to be allowed this season.

New Rules Of IPL 2021-

Ball Replaced:

Earlier, in IPL 2020 ball that went out of the stadium or land in stands then umpires used to sanitize the ball and continue the game with the same ball. However, this time BCCI has decided to change the rule.

BCCI & Emirates Cricket Board is all set to allow spectators in the stands during the IPL 2021 Phase 2. This means now unlike IPL 2020 if the ball goes in the stands – there is a possibility that it will be touched by the spectators or whoever throws the ball back.

In this situation, there is the remote possibility of the ball being exposed to someone being infected in the stands. BCCI is not ready to take any chances and they have decided that ‘ball will be replaced if it goes in stands’.

BCCI’s bio-secure bubble protocols:

IPL 2021 was suspended due to a bio-bubble breach created by BCCI. Thus, the board is in no mood to risk it this time. BCCI has issued a strict warning to the players that the bubble breach will not be tolerated. (Saliva rule in IPL)

None of the international players competing in the IPL will have to serve quarantine but the franchise members and families could face punishment if there is a “bubble breach”, according to the health and safety protocols released by the BCCI.

“Breach of any Bio-Secure Environment protocols by franchise members or their families will be subject to disciplinary action by the BCCI,” the governing body said in its Health and Safety protocols, a copy of which is in possession of PTI.

PROTOCOLS:

• Franchise team members must undergo a COVID-19 RT-PCR test, 72 hours before their scheduled flight
• All individuals must quarantine themselves and avoid contact with others after the RT-PCR test
• All members whose RT-PCR test result is negative may travel to the franchise’s city of choice
• For passengers arriving from India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan, it is mandatory that the COVID-19 PCR report includes a QR code linked to the original report for the verification process
•  In unavoidable circumstances franchise team members and their families can leave the bubble
• However, for unscheduled visits, prior permission must be sought from the BCCI Chief Medical Officer before leaving the Bubble
• Re-entry to the Bubble is only permitted after completing 6 full days quarantine
• For re-entry 3 results of the RT-PCR tests for samples collected on day 2,4 and 6 should be negative
• Green corridors will be created to avoid close contact with any individuals who are outside their Bio-Secure Bubbles if in exceptional circumstances members within a bubble are required to visit a hospital
• Contact tracing bands to be done away with. Instead, the bio-bubble integrity officers will be responsible for tracking each Covid positive contact.

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  Source link: Inside Sports