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The second leg of Indian Premier League 2021 is all set to resume with a blockbuster of a clash between the Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings at the Dubai International Stadium on September 19. In a happy news coming in for the fans ahead of the match, the curtain-raiser to the second phase of the competition this year is set to mark the return of fans to the stadium after the hiatus owing to the Coronavirus situation.
The same was confirmed in a release by the Indian Premier League. It also formally announced the start of the purchase of tickets beginning September 16 for the remainder of the tournament on its official website. Notably, IPL matches are set to be played across three venues in UAE- Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.
While the entire IPL 2020 was played inside closed doors, even the first half of IPL 2021 did not see any fan entering the stadium. This means that the MI-CSK clash on September 19 will be the first time since the final of IPL 2019 that a match of the tournament will be witnessed by fans live from the venue. Interestingly, even that match was played between these two teams with Mumbai Indians managing a 1-run win to lift their fourth title.
Earlier, it was confirmed that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) along with its medical service provider will facilitate over 30,000 RT-PCR tests on all IPL players, support staff and other stakeholders during the second phase of IPL 2021 set to happen in UAE. Moreover, it was reported that Dubai-based health care company, VPS Healthcare, will be responsible for the emergency treatment of players, sports medicine experts as well as an air ambulance during the tournament.
Phase two of IPL 2021 will have RT-PCR tests every third day instead of every fifth which was the norm in IPL 2020. In order to cater to the needs of the players and other members of the IPL contingent, a 100-member multidisciplinary team for sports medicine and COVID-19 management has also been set up.
Interestingly, to restrict the movement of players even for medical emergencies, the medical, as well as nursing staff, will be accommodated in the same hotel bio-bubbles where the team members will be staying.