IPL 2022: Everything you need to know about the covid situation ahead of the start

Defending champions Chennai Super Kings will take on Kolkata Knight Riders on March 26 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai to kick-off the 15th season of the IPL. The first match of the IPL 2022 will start at 7.30 pm IST. However, there will be a total of 12 double-headers this season. The first game will start at 3.30 pm IST, and the other at 7.30 pm.

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What's the format of this IPL now that there are 10 teams?

The IPL 2022 will see the 10 teams split into two virtual groups of five each for the league stage. The format is such that each team will play 14 league games this time as well, for a total of 70 games before the playoffs.

Each team will play the other teams in the same group and one more from the other group twice. Meanwhile, also with the remaining teams in the other group once for a total of 14 games. For example, Mumbai will play teams from their own group and only Chennai Super Kings (from the other group) twice, and the remaining teams from Group B just once.

Where will all these league matches be played?

To minimize the exposure to the risks of Covid-19 while traveling across India, this time the IPL will be played across four venues around Mumbai and Pune. The four grounds are the Wankhede Stadium and Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai, the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, and the MCA Stadium in Pune.

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If there is no home-and-away concept, then how has the schedule been made?

The schedule has been drafted in such a way that teams will play four matches each at Wankhede and DY Patil, and three each at the Brabourne and MCA Stadium. Meanwhile, it gives Mumbai Indians an advantage because they will get to play four games at their home ground Wankhede.

How long is this league stage?

These 70 league games will go on for 58 days from March 26 to May 22. However, the venues and the schedule have not been announced yet for the playoffs. The final will be played on May 29.

What happens if a player or squad member tests positive for Covid-19 during the IPL 2022?

The participant who tests positive will have to isolate for a minimum of seven days. Meanwhile, during that period he will be tested on days 6 and 7. For him to re-enter the team's biosecure environment, he will have to provide two consecutive negative RT-PCR tests taken 24 hours apart. Also, the team will see that there are no fresh symptoms for more than 24 hours. There has been no use of medications for more than 24 hours.

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What happens if a team is affected by multiple Covid-19 infections and many of their players are unavailable?

In that case, a franchise can field a team of 11 if there are a minimum of 12 players available for them. However, that must include at least seven Indians and one substitute. If a team has fewer than 12, the BCCI will attempt to reschedule the match for later in the season. If, for some reason that is not possible, the matter will be referred to the technical committee of the IPL. The decision of the committee will be "final and binding".

Earlier, when the rescheduling of a match was not possible, the franchise unable to field a team would lose the points to the opponent.

Any new playing conditions for this IPL 2022?

Each team will now have two unsuccessful reviews per innings, as opposed to one earlier. Moreover, the rule for the new batter taking strike after a caught dismissal has also changed. From now on, irrespective of whether the batters have crossed or not at the point of a catch being taken, the incoming batter will be on strike, except if the dismissal is on the last ball of an over.

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Will there be crowds allowed at these stadiums for IPL 2022?

The Maharashtra government has, for now, allowed 25% of the seats to be occupied, but only by fully vaccinated spectators. Fans haven't been part of the IPL for the last two seasons in India. Fans can buy the tickets from Book My Show.

Which bubble protocols are different this time compared to the 2021 IPL?

One major change is that all players and teams' staff members need to spend 3 days in hard quarantine (in hotel rooms). Meanwhile, it is better compared to seven last year, before entering their team bubbles.

During those three days, the players and staff members will need to do in-room testing after every 24 hours. However, this rule will not be applicable to those who will be coming from another bubble. It includes a bilateral series, a franchise preparatory camp, any domestic tournament, or a national camp, provided the players travel by a charter flight or by road.