The Asian Age

Bubble only for key men: Wadia

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New Delhi, Sept. 3: Kings XI Punjab co- owner Ness Wadia on Thursday said the Covid- 19 positive cases in the Chennai Super Kings contingent could have hit any of the eight franchises and wants only those people in the IPL bio- bubble who are “really required” to be with the players.

“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 biobubble protocols. We need to ensure only those who are really required to be with the players are part of the bubble,” Wadia said.

The franchisee­s’ nonplayer and non- coaching staff includes team operations manager, and social media specialist­s. The cricketers are also required to spend time with the marketing staff during photo shoots which will be held closer to the IPL beginning September 19.

The CEOs and owners, most of whom are yet to reach UAE, are also allowed in the bio- bubble but any SOP violation will send them into a seven- day quarantine.

“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.

When asked if he would be travelling for the tournament, 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),” he added. —

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