Reports: Cricket to part ways with bio-bubble, likely to adopt Premier League Model

Bio-bubble has been part of cricket for close to two years. Several players have spoken about the adverse effects of the bio-bubble norms. Staying in a stringent environment has taken a toll on players' mental health which is affecting their on-field performance as well. England all-rounder Ben Stokes had taken a break from all forms of cricket owing to the same.

If certain reports are anything to by, then the cricket's governing body is keen to do away with the bio-bubble and try to bring the Premier League Model, wherein only the infected person (not the close contacts) are advised to follow the mandatory quarantine. The only problem with this new model is that regular testing of stakeholders keeps taking place.

“In the Premier League, they don’t even send the close contacts to isolation. Only those who test positive, go into quarantine,” a close source said as quoted by The Indian Express.

Of all the top teams, India had to undergo a lot in the bio-bubble environment. During the past year or so, the team has been on the road. Back-to-back series have not helped the players. Team India players finished IPL just two days before the start of the 20-20 World Cup.

The Men in Blue lost two matches and crashed out in the Super 12 stage itself. Former India head coach Ravi Shastri pointed that constantly being in the bio-bubble affected the players.

“When you’re six months in a bubble, there are a lot of players who play all three formats of the game. In the last 24 months, they’ve been home for 25 days. I don’t care who you are if your name is Bradman, if you’re in a bubble as well, your average will come down because you’re human. But sooner or later, the bubble will burst. So, you’ve got to be careful,” said Ravi Shastri after India’s last match in T20 WC.