The respective IPL franchise owners and management entourages have been limited to just 15 inside the stadium on match days. There are strict protocols in place for them as well as the franchise needs to give the names to the BCCI 48 hours prior, and they also need to return with negative reports of the RT-PCR test done 48 hours earlier.
As the 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League, the 2021 season also started behind closed doors. With the worsening situation of the COVID-19 pandemic in India, there have been constant concerns over the safety of the tournament. However, the 14th edition of the Indian T20 extravaganza has gotten off to a good start with two cracker contests.
However, there is some confusion and ambiguity around the team management’s attendance and the owners’ entourages at the stadium. In the tournament opener between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians, a handful of spectators were a part of the owners’ entourages and the RCB crew.
According to Cricbuzz, it is understood that each team that is competing in that particular game can have up to 15 members watch the game live from the stadium. These 15 members include the entourage of an owner or the management staff of that particular franchise. Moreover, among those 15, a senior official or an owner needs to be present.
In addition to this, there are some strict protocols for these members to enter the stadium. The names of each of the 15 members need to be submitted to the BCCI 48 hours before the game. Every member needs to return with a negative result of the RT-PCR test, which should be conducted 48 hours before entering the stadium.
The rule has created some confusion in Mumbai as the Maharashtra government has imposed night curfews and complete lockdowns on weekends. While the players have their own bio-secure bubble and team buses to take them up and down to the ground, it is unclear what rules would be applicable for the owners’ entourage and the management staff.
“There is some ambiguity. We have taken up this matter with the BCCI,”
an official from one of the teams was quoted saying.
Delhi Capitals, Chennai Super Kings, Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore are all scheduled to play matches at the Wankhede Stadium in the next couple of weeks.
