VIDEO: Virat Kohli urges teammates to maintain safety protocols in bio-secure bubble

Mohammad Abdullah, Staff Reporter

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Virat Kohli urged his team-mates to adhere to the safety protocols in the bio-secure bubble on Monday.

During a team webinar in Dubai, Kohli warned his team-mates that one mistake can spoil everything if the safety protocols are breached.

It was a different kind of a team meeting, where the players met via a video conference, which was later posted by the team across their social media accounts like Twitter Handle and Facebook.

Such stuffs are no more considered as unusual, it is the world of a new normal ever since the pandemic coronavirus broke out.

Apart from skipper Kohli, coach Simon Katich and  director of cricket operations at RCB, Mike Hesson, also attended the conference along with the players.

Kohli looked amazed at the beginning of the webinar before coming down to the serious business.

“First of all it is bit awkward for me to hold a welcome meeting like this. But this is something that we have to get used to now,” said Kohli.

“I think we have done quite well to get down to Dubai safe and sound in this new normal. We have followed what's been told to us and I would expect everyone to be on the same page in terms of securing the bubble at all times and making sure that nothing is compromised," added Kohli.

"Because I think one mistake by any one of us could literally spoil the whole tournament. And none of us want to do that," he warned.

"We have to understand that we need to protect the bubble,” he stressed.

A delayed IPL has been shifted to the UAE in the wake of the rising cases of the coronavirus in India, where it was originally slated to be held in March.

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However, a strict safety protocol has to be followed by the teams. All the teams’ members flying to the UAE had to provide a negative COVID-19 test reports, not taken 96 hours before their arrival.

After reaching Dubai, players and other supporting staff have been kept in a mandatory quarantine period of seven days in their hotel rooms.

Only after serving the mandatory isolation period, players will allowed to start practicing for the big event, which begins on Sept.19.

"I can't wait to get to our first practice session, something that we all are going to cherish. An opportunity to create a good team culture from the first day.

“I want to create an environment where everyone feels a part of the team equally and everyone feels responsible for where we want to go equally.

“And I think all of us have to contribute towards that. First seniors in the team have to set up an example so that others can follow. So let’s start doing it on the right note," Kohli concluded.

Meanwhile, Hesson highlighted the consequences of breaking the safety protocol in the bio-secure bubble.

"Violation will be dealt with very seriously. If there is an accidental breach, players will be removed and sent to isolation for seven days and then come back only after he tests negative.

“There will be strong consequences if the players choose to do violate protocols. They will sign a document which explains the consequences," Hesson said.

Strict protocols have been laid down by the UAE authorities for the safety of the players and others.

Ever since the coronavirus broke out, sporting sector was worst hit as all the action came to a grinding halt due to the pandemic.

But the UAE, in its all glory, heralded the return of the sporting action by hosting UFC fights at the Yas Island successfully.

Due to its reputation as a safe heaven, India also chose the UAE for hosting the cash-rich IPL. It is the second time that the IPL is being held in the UAE.

Earlier the tournament was shifted to the UAE in 2014 in the wake of general elections in India due to security reasons.