The 15th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2022) is scheduled to begin on March 26 and final to be played on May 29. Opening match is likely to be played between Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders on March 26 at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
According to the reports in Times of India, all ten teams are likely to start arriving in Mumbai around March 8 and will start practising from March 14-15.
It is also understood that all the participants will have to undergo RT-PCR tests 48 hours prior to their arrival in Mumbai on March 8. Players, support staff, match officials, commentators, broadcast crew and other members will undergo strict quarantine for 3-5 days before entering their respective IPL bio bubbles.
Secure bio bubble during IPL 2022
In isolation, the participants will undergo in-room RT PCR testing three times – first on day one, second on day three and the final one on day five. In case of a three-day quarantine, the participants will get tested every day and if all the three results are negative, they will be permitted to exit quarantine and commence team activities.
After a three to five-day quarantine period, will start practising from March 14-15 onwards. Mumbai Cricket Association’s ground in Bandra-Kurla Complex and Dadoji Kondadev Stadium in Thane have been identified as training facilities for the teams.
All league matches will be played in Maharashtra across 4 different venues; Wankhede Stadium, Dy Patil Stadium and Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai and Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. 20 matches each will be played at the Wankhede Stadium and the Dy Patil Stadium while 15 games each will be played at the Brabourne Stadium and the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium.
It is also understood that all the participants/personnel associated with the conduct of IPL (bubble/non bubble) will undergo RT PCR testing every three to five days during the entire length of the tournament.
Separate hotels for each team
According to the reports, each IPL 2022 team will be based in a separate hotel to make sure that the bio-secure environment is maintained. While 10 plush hotels have been identified in Mumbai, two hotels have been zeroed in for Pune.
With regard to the broadcast/production crew, there will be total three crews which will cover the IPL and while two crews will be based in Mumbai, one crew will be based in Pune and five hotels have been identified for them in the two cities.
A green corridor will be also built for the teams to ensure a “safe passage and smooth movement” during the tournament for hassle-free and quick movement of the teams between the stadiums and training venues and the team hotel.
Earlier today it was also reported that the 25% crowd will allowed for the first three weeks of IPL 2022 (March 26 to April 15) and after April 15, this decision will be reviewed.