BOLD Diaries: Virat Kohli addresses RCB's first team meeting online, asks everybody to follow bio-bubble guidelines

“Unbelievable. First experience like this,” these were Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli’s words as the team met for a virtual conference for the first time in Dubai ahead of the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League.

Staying in the same hotel, the players caught up with each other online, where a variety of issues were discussed, including the most important: maintaining the security of the bio-bubble for a seamless tournament and how important it is for every individual to abide by the guidelines in place.

Welcoming everyone in the RCB bio bubble, director of RCB’s cricket operations Mike Hesson set the agenda for the meeting, opening the floor for questions.

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Virat Kohli emphasized the need of maintaining the bio bubble. “So, from my end guys, it’s obviously very awkward to have a welcome meeting like this, but something that we probably have to get used to quite a bit. I think we have done quite well to get to Dubai firstly safe and sound. 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 because one mistake from anyone of us could literally spoil the whole tournament and none of us would want to do that. 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 day one,” Kohli said.

“We play for that all the time (the RCB batch). For me, it’s all about what can I do to create an environment where everyone feels part of the team equally and everyone feels responsible for where we want to go equally and I think all of us to contribute to that, firstly the seniors of the team. I could not be happier being here with all of you. Let’s start things on the right note,” he added.

Head Coach Simon Katich said that the next few weeks were a great opportunity for the team members to know about each other. “It would be a great chance over the next three weeks to bond and get to know each other and we have got a number of things in place for that. So, looking forward to seeing you all in person soon.”

Team physio Evan Speechly, who has put a great effort into managing the details of the bio bubble said, “It is really good to see everybody looking so happy and relaxed during these extremely tough times. It’s really good to be here, a lot of credit goes to the BCCI, the IPL committee, and senior management at RCB who have allowed us to come to a great hotel like this and make sure everything is in place.”

Kohli also talked about the repercussions of violating the bio-bubble and asked Mike Hesson to elaborate further on the subject. “If someone violates any rules or any guidelines that have been set by us as a franchisee what happens, what are the repercussions. We all need to understand that to be able to protect what we have created and to make sure to protect the bubble that we have created.”

“We have a document that the BCCI has written which is basically a part of your contract. So, if there is a breach of bio-bubble and if it’s a wilful act then it becomes a contractual issue between the player and RCB. It will be dealt with very seriously. If there is an issue where it is an accidental breach of the bubble, then the players will be removed… and they will have to be in isolation for 7 days, they have to repeat their tests before they are allowed in the bubble again,” elaborated Hesson.

“So, there is some protocols that we can go through but if somebody breaks this bubble there will work incredibly hard and ascertain to put in place. It actually affects the whole tournament, it’s not just the RCB its actually the tournament, the TV rights. So, there will be strong consequences if players choose to do that. Everyone player from every team will need to sign a document which basically explains the consequences around that,” he explained further.

The skipper iterated that it was important for all the members of the team to understand the importance and seriousness of the situation and at all times uphold the guidelines set in place. “All I am saying is I think if someone was to end up in such a situation or a position, for me that’s letting the whole team down. Because it might happen at the stage of a tournament where we can’t afford to lose that player and if he does so and we get harmed by it then the whole team, the whole system, the whole culture loses. So, I just wanted to talk about this so that everyone understands the repercussions that might take place if you violate any of the rules.

Hesson also ensured that the management was constantly working to make it a pleasant experience for everyone involved. “We are trying to make our bio bubble as pleasant as possible, so that we can stay within the rules, the parameters that we are allowed.”

The team also congratulated Yuzvendra Chahal on his engagement. Mike Hesson promised that there will be an appropriate celebration at an appropriate time.