Bold Diaries: Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Quarantine 2.0 begins in Dubai

The number of dumbbells kept outside the rooms as the players checked out of hotel Leela Palace was suggestive of how the seven days of quarantine in Bengaluru were spent, while getting ready for the remainder of the IPL 2021 season, to be played in the UAE which successfully hosted the tournament last year around the same time,

Leaving no room for complacency, given the unpredictable nature of the threat that led to the tournament’s halt midway earlier this year, the team had decided to assemble in Bengaluru, where the quarantine began on 22nd August in a bio-secure environment before leaving for Dubai.

The stay in the hotel in Bengaluru was as planned rather immaculately, with the experience of having created secure bio bubbles in the past coming in handy. During their week-long stay, the contingent appeared for COVID tests every alternate day. And then one on the morning of leaving.

The pattern did not change on reaching Dubai as well, there was one right at the airport, perhaps the only difference was in the way how swabs were collected here – only through nostrils this time. Much like last year, the players were transported to a bio-bubble straight from the airport. The next six days at JA Lake View Hotel will once again be about dumbbells and cycles in the room.

Occasional conversations from the balcony and regular updates regarding what next will keep them occupied before the grind begins. However, it’s not just the grind but also the acclimatization processes the players will be gearing up for.

That the tournament happened last year around the same time in Dubai may be a bit of relief at least for those who were a part of the team. As far as the preparations for the second half is concerned, most of the members have already arrived in the hotel, barring the overseas names and a couple of Indian players, including captain Virat Kohli and pacer Mohammed Siraj – who are on national duties in England.