IPL 2022: Teams to reach Mumbai by March 8; 3-5 days quarantine before entering bubble

NEW DELHI: All ten franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 season are expected to start training for the tournament by March 14-15.

Earlier today, the Maharashtra government held a meeting with BCCI's Acting CEO Hemang Amin in which key members of the Mumbai Cricket Association were also present. Aaditya Thackeray and Eknath Shinde also attended the meeting with MCA officials and Amin.

"Teams will start practicing most likely by March 14-15 onwards. Players and support staff will start coming to Mumbai around March 8 for the IPL," sources in the know of developments told ANI.

"The participants who will be part of the bubble will undergo strict quarantine for 3-5 days before entering their respective bubbles. All participants will undergo pre-travel RT-PCR testing 48 hours before their scheduled travel from their home destination to Mumbai."

"While in quarantine, they will undergo in-room RT-PCR testing three times, first on day 1, second on day 3, and the final one on day 5. In case of three days quarantine, they will get tested every day. If all three test results are negative, they will be permitted to exit quarantine and commence team activities," the source added.

ALSO READ: 2022 edition of Indian Premier League could be held in South Africa, says report

MCA Ground in Thane and Reliance Corporate Park in Navi Mumbai are part of five grounds that have been allowed for the training of all ten teams by the BCCI.

"As all the teams will be playing matches across the four venues in Mumbai, Pune and they will also have practice sessions at various practice facilities. A green corridor will need to be created for their movement so that the bio bubbles are maintained. BCCI will follow the protocols of the biosecure movement for all the participants in the bubble," the source stated.

"During the travel to Navi Mumbai and Pune, it will be ideal to have a safe passage and smooth movement to avoid delays. If any member of a team ends up testing positive for COVID, they are likely to be allowed quarantine in the hotel and special arrangements will be made for that scenario," added the source.

The IPL 2022 season will be held from March 26-May 29. A total of 70 league matches will be played across four international standard venues in Mumbai and Pune. The venue for the playoff matches will be decided later. Interestingly, with regards to doubleheaders, there will be 12 matches/days.

ALSO READ: Limited spectators to be allowed at Indian Premier League matches

Mumbai, Wankhede Stadium will host 20 matches while 15 matches will be played at Brabourne Stadium (CCI). DY Patil Stadium, Mumbai will host 20 matches while Pune's MCA International Stadium will conduct 15 matches.

Group A: Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, and Lucknow Super Giants.

Group B will consist of: Chennai Super Kings, Sunrises Hyderabad, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Punjab Kings, and Gujarat Titans.