IPL 2020: Samaira helps dad Rohit Sharma pack for UAE, Krunal Pandya gets used to ‘new travel kit’

Mumbai Indians players on Friday left for the United Arab Emirates to participate in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League, which means a lot of travel posts from the players on social media.

Captain Rohit Sharma and all-rounder Krunal Pandya took to Instagram to post their experiences as they got ready to leave the city for Dubai.

Rohit took Samaira’s help to pack for the UAE, or at least that’s what he captioned his post as the daughter looked curiously into his cricket kit.

“Got my packer in chief to help me get ready for the UAE. Thanks Sammy,” Rohit wrote.

Krunal on the other hand, gave us a glimpse of Mumbai Indians’ new airport look for their travel.

The team and franchise officials chose to wear full body suits, shoe covers, gloves, face masks and transparent goggles to protect themselves from the threat of coronavirus, which is the reason why IPL 2020 is being played in the UAE and not in India.

“We’re getting used to our new travel kit UAE, here we come,” Krunal wrote.

Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore will be reaching UAE on Friday. Kings XI Punjab, Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders had departed on Thursday while Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals, will land over the weekend.

The players, who were already tested for Covid-19 multiple times before departure, will now undergo a six-day isolation period with testing on days 1, 3 and 6. If they clear all the tests, they will be eligible to enter the IPL 2020’s bio-secure bubble and start training. Subsequently, the players and support staff will be tested every fifth day of the tournament.

60 games will be played in IPL 2020 over 53 days across three venues — Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. This is the second time UAE is hosting the cash-rich tournament after 2014, when it was taken overseas due to the general elections in India.