Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has delivered on their promise of creating a strict bio-bubble for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 edition. While new rules say that a franchise can field a team with just 11 players (including seven Indian players) and a substitute, the board wants to ensure there is no breach which may lead to postponement or cancellation of any fixture. In addition, a fine of up to Rs 1 crore will be charged, if any outsider is allowed by the franchise willingly as the organisers don’t want to leave anything to chance.
If player breaches bio-bubble
If a player goes out of the bio-bubble, he will have to go for a seven-day re-quarantine or other period under the Health and Safety Protocols during the tournament. In addition, the player will not be paid for the number of matches missed.
If a player commits the same offence twice, he will face one-match suspension. The player will not be paid for the match he was suspended, plus the number of matches missed due to re-quarantine or other period.
If a player refuses to abide by the rules and breaches the bubble repeatedly, he will be removed from the registered squad for the remainder of season. Also, it will be a big blow for the franchise as no replacement will be allowed.
If player’s family member breaches bio-bubble
If a family member of a player breaks the bio-bubble, he or she will have to stay in seven-day re-quarantine or such other period. The player will also be put under same quarantine period without pay for the number of matches missed. The same rules apply for a team official or match official.
If the family member breaches the bio-bubble twice, he or she will be permanently removed for the rest of the season. Similar to the first offence, the player, team official or match official will go under seven-day quarantine period again.
Fine levied on franchise
A franchise will have to pay a fine of Rs 1 crore if an outside is provided access into the bio-bubble without following IPL 2022’s Healthy and Safety Protocols which includes negative test, seven-day quarantine period and other adequate procedures.
While the first offence will lead to a fine of Rs 1 crore, a second offence will mean deduction of one point from the points earned by the franchise. If the offence is committed for the third time or more, two points for each breach will be deducted.
Fine on missing Covid test
Regular Covid-19 tests are a norm in almost every tournament around the world. If a player, match official or team official misses these regular Covid Tests, they will be given a warning. If it is missed for the second time or more, it will lead to a fine of Rs 75,000. In addition, the offender's entry into the stadium or training facility will be denied until the missed test is done.
