All preparations are underway for the 13th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The date has been set, permission has been obtained from the central government, and preparations for all the eight teams in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have begun, with the safety of the players a priority.

Considering the coronavirus crisis, every player will be tested before leaving for UAE. It is clear that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will not compromise on the safety of players.

The IPL has been approved by the government to play in the UAE, said Brijesh Patel, chairman of the governing council. This has paved the way for the IPL to be played in the UAE from September 19 to November 10.

According to the BCCI, eight franchises have started quarantining players. "We have received written permission," Patel said. Most of the teams will leave for the IPL on August 20.

"It's always better for franchisees to take a PCR test, and it's best if they enter the UAE with a negative report. According to the BCCI's SOP, they will have to test two corona within 24 hours before leaving for the UAE, "said a franchise official.

The league, which runs from September 19 to November 10, will feature 10 double-header matches (matches at 3.30pm). The IPL matches will be played in Dubai, Shahjahan and Abu Dhabi. Meanwhile, the Women's Twenty20 Challenge will be played with four matches between the three teams.

Every member of the team is undergoing a coronavirus test before leaving for the UAE and a shocking matter came to light. All players, support staff and management members are being tested by the franchise. Before leaving for UAE as per BCCI rules.

Before leaving for the IPL, former Rajasthan Royals player and fielding coach Dishant Yagnik has now tested positive for COVID-19.

The news comes only days ahead of teams' departure for UAE for the 13th edition of the competition, rescheduled and moved out of India due to the pandemic.

The franchise confirmed that Yagnik's test was held in his hometown - Udaipur - and that he was not in close proximity with any of their or other IPL players in the past 10 days. All the other members of Rajasthan Royals have tested negative.Yagnik has consequently been advised to get hospitalised for a 14-day quarantine. Post the two weeks, he will have to undergo two tests as per BCCI protocols. Upon two consecutively negative reports, he can join the team camp after self isolating for six more days and submitting three further negative tests upon arrival in the UAE.