Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni before the IPL 2019 final. (TOI Photo)
NEW DELHI: Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises are considering putting up their players and support staff in resorts, instead of five-star hotels as is the norm, during this year’s tournament in the UAE, in order to avoid contracting the novel coronavirus through shared air-conditioning ducts.
Some franchises, like Sunrisers Hyderabad, have already got in touch with golf resorts after some players expressed apprehension about staying in crowded five-star hotels.
Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders, meanwhile, are likely to set up camp in Abu Dhabi, which is more secluded. MI are even considering renting an entire apartment, according to sources.
It has been established in some studies that the virus can spread through ducts of centrally air-conditioned buildings. IPL sources say there is a fear that even if teams reserve a particular wing of a hotel, it may still expose players to the virus through AC ducts.
“It’s not easy to screen everyone in the