AMID STRICTER COVID CURBS, IPL TEAMS TRAIN IN MUMBAI AND NAVI MUMBAI

MUMBAI: IPL teams based in Mumbai continued preparations for the league to be played at the Wankhede Stadium, holding practice sessions at various locations across the city on Sunday. Fresh restrictions announced by the Maharashtra government due to a spike in Covid cases though raised uncertainty.

Due to rising Covid cases, the Maharashtra government announced stricter curbs on Sunday. The new measures will come into force from 8pm on Monday. The authorities have also declared a total lockdown at the weekend, from 8pm on Friday to 7am on Monday.

All playgrounds, clubs, swimming pools and sports complexes in the state will remain shut from Monday night. The stricter restrictions will completely halt all sporting activities, including local cricket. MCA is expected to take a decision on Monday, but apex council member Nadim Memon has urged the association to halt all local tournaments till May.

On Sunday, Punjab Kings played a practice match at BKC ground in the afternoon and Delhi Capitals had nets at the same venue later. Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders continued their training at Reliance Corporate Park and DY Patil Stadium respectively. Rajasthan Royals nets were held at the CCI, which has been shut for members as the club conducts Covid tests for staff.

An official associated with one of the teams said protocols that were put in place in the UAE edition are being followed in Mumbai. The teams will start training at the Wankhede Stadium from Wednesday with Super Kings and Delhi Capitals scheduled to have nets from 6pm to 8:30pm. They will square-off in the first match on April 10.