JSCA to create bio-bubble to host Jharkhand T20 League
The Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) is all set to become the first state association to restart cricket in the post-Covid world, through the Jharkhand T20 League, and the association is expected to create a bio-bubble for the same. The six-team league is slated to begin on September 15.
While the future of the 2020/21 Indian domestic season hangs by a slender thread, thanks to logistical complications invoked by the Covid-19 outbreak, there could be a ray of hope yet for the BCCI. And whether or not the 2020/21 Indian domestic season goes ahead might very well depend on the success of the Jharkhand T20 League, which will kick off on September 15.
In what comes as encouraging news for both fans and players in the country, the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) are all set to become the first state association in the country to conduct a tournament in the apocalyptical post-COVID world, through the Jharkhand T20 League.
And while there will be obvious risks and complications involved in hosting the competition, especially with the country’s Covid-19 numbers surging, JSCA secretary Sanjay Sahay has revealed that the association will stage the tournament inside a secure bio-bubble, with everyone associated with the tournament set to be housed at the JSCA Stadium complex between September 14 and October 2.
"Every player will be allocated a single room and whatever commodities they require they will be provided on a separate basis. Neither anyone from the outside will be allowed to venture inside nor anyone will be allowed to leave until the end of the tournament," said Sahay told TOI.
"The players are supposed to report at the stadium by 14th. They will then be tested for Covid before they are allowed to enter the stadium premises. But once inside they will not be allowed to leave the stadium premises. Even the cooks, chef and all those associated with the running of the league will be housed within the stadium. We are creating a bio-bubble almost on the lines of that we have seen in England."
While confirming that the house-keeping personnel will be the only ones allowed to exit and enter the premises on a daily basis, the JSCA chairman confirmed that there will be a medical team which will check on the players every day, on top of which there will also be isolation rooms for symptomatic individuals.
"Besides the medical unit set up by the association, I have personally set up a separate medical team which will check on them everyday. Also two rooms have been allocated as isolation rooms if anyone seems to have contracted the disease," said Sahay.
The Jharkhand T20 league will be a six-team tournament comprising Ranchi Raiders, Jamshedpur Jugglers, Dhanbad Dynamos, Bokaro Blasters, Singbhum Strikers and the Dumka Daredevils. The tournament, which will kick off on Friday, September 15, is expected to be streamed on the JSCA app.