18 November,2021 08:34 AM IST | Mumbai | Harit Joshi
Photo for representational purpose. Picture Courtesy/iStock
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has relaxed quarantine rules for domestic cricketers from six days to just three days now, taking into consideration the mental toll it takes on the players.
For the season-opening Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament, the players had to undergo six days of strict quarantine. However, for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy (50-over tournament), players will have to assemble just five days in advance.
They will go into quarantine from December 3 to 5, followed by two days of practice sessions before the opening matches are played from December 8 across six venues (Mumbai, Thiruvananthapuram, Mohali, Rajkot, Ranchi and Chennai).
Defending champions Mumbai, placed in Elite B group, will open their campaign against Tamil Nadu in Thiruvananthapuram.
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The three-day quarantine will also be followed for the Ranji Trophy, which was cancelled last season due to COVID-19.
The Ranji Trophy is set to kick off on January 13 across six centres - Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Thiruvananthapuram and Chennai.
Domestic giants Mumbai, the 41-time champions, who are in Elite C, will open their campaign against Maharashtra in Kolkata on January 13. Three days rest has been mandated after every match.
There will be three days of quarantine again for players before the pre-quarterfinals, which begin on February 18. The final will be played on March 14.
A BCCI-affiliated state official welcomed the Board's move to relax quarantine rules. "I believe this decision has been taken after considering the impact on players' mental well-being.
Quarantine is most difficult for players as they are all alone, confined to their hotel room. To do this often is quite difficult. Also, the COVID situation is improving in the country and players are also vaccinated. So, that would have prompted the BCCI to provide some relaxation," said the official.
Meanwhile, the players participating in the U-25 State A Trophy starting today have been forced to share rooms. The practise of single occupancy was not followed in the U-25 tournament.
