CSK incident shows it can happen to anyone: KXIP co-owner Ness Wadia urges more caution at IPL 2020

Kings XI Punjab co-owner Ness Wadia has urged Indian Premier League (IPL) teams in the UAE to be more rigid and more compliant on bio-bubble protocols, saying the Covid-19 cases in the Chennai Super Kings camp could have happened to any of the 8 franchises.

Ness Wadia, who is yet to decide on whether he will be travelling to the UAE for IPL 2020, said only the ones who are ‘really required’ to be with the players should be part of the bio-bubble.

As many as 13 members of the Chennai Super Kings camp, including 2 players, tested positive for the novel coronavirus during their 6-day quarantine period in Dubai. All the other members returned negative tests in the 1st of the 2 additional Covid-19 tests done on September 1. The infected members are in isolation and will be tested after their mandatory 14-day quarantine period.

All 8 IPL franchises are adhering to strict bio-bubble protocosl, as per Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI SOPs.

“The CSK incident has taught us that it can happen to anyone even when the best of precautions are taken and therefore we must be more compliant and rigid on the bio-bubble protocols. We need to ensure only those who are really required to be with the players are part of the bubble,” Ness Wadia told the Press Trust of India.

Ness Wadia said he is in touch with head coach Anil Kumble over video-conferencing and hasn’t finalised his plans of being with the rest of the team in the UAE. IPL 2020 will be played from September 19 to November 10. BCCI is likely to announce the fixtures on Saturday.

“The number of staff outside of the teams and their support staff and the match officials should be limited to the absolute minimum, this is what is stated in the BCCI SOP,” Wadia said.

“I have not finalised my plans but I normally don’t interact a lot with the players. I have spoken to Anil Kumble (head coach) twice so far just to check what is going on. I am very comfortable interacting on Zoom and other (online communication platforms).”

Meanwhile, Ness Wadia said there is no need for panic even as 13 members of the CSK unit tested Covid-19 positive, stressing that BCCI has come up with internationally-established SOPs for IPL 2020.

“The BCCI has put internationally established protocols in place. If you look at the football leagues, there were cases in the beginning and the highest of precautions were taken. There are so many variables (in the current situation).

“I don’t think people need to worry at all. Things will get better and smoother as we go forward,” Wadia said.