Virat Kohli warned his Royal Challengers Bangalore colleagues that one mistake "could literally spoil the whole" 2020 IPL season, as they continued to quarantine on Palm Jumeirah.
The eight franchises checked in to a variety of hotels across Dubai and Abu Dhabi at the weekend, as they prepare for the competition’s start on September 19.
As per Covid-19 advice from the tournament’s organisers, all participants will be confined to their rooms for the best part of a week upon arrival. In that time, each will be subjected to three coronavirus tests.
The quarantine regulations meant that Kohli had to conduct an RCB team meeting via Zoom on Monday, where he reiterated the importance of doing everything to ensure the bio-secure bubble that they were creating was not compromised.
“Obviously, it’s very awkward to have a welcome meeting like this, but something that we probably have to get used to quite a bit,” Kohli told his team.
“I think we have done quite well to get to Dubai firstly safe and sound. We have followed what’s been told to us.
“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.
“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.”
Mike Hesson, the New Zealander who is the head of RCB’s coaching staff, emphasised the point by saying it was their contractual obligation to observe the protocol.
“We have a document that the BCCI has written which is basically a part of your contract,” Hesson said.
“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 seven days.
“They have to repeat their tests before they are allowed in the bubble again.”
Kohli said the team could not afford a player breaching the operating procedure.
“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,” the India captain said.
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Gallery: IPL stars in the UAE
“Because it might happen at the stage of a tournament where we can’t afford to lose that player.
“If he does so and we get harmed by it then the whole team, the whole system, the whole culture loses.
“I just wanted to talk about this so that everyone understands the repercussions that might take place if you violate any of the rules.”
Although they are confined to their rooms, the players are at least afforded luxurious surroundings.
For example, Rajasthan Royals players each have a personal outside space with a lawn accessible from their rooms.
Kolkata Knight Riders players, meanwhile, are being run through their paces by their fitness coach, former New Zealand Olympian Chris Donaldson, with a specially tailored bedroom workout routine.
Brendon McCullum, KKR’s coach, says he has been doing his best to keep pace with the players.
“I can't ask the players to do what I can't do, right?” McCullum said. “So whilst I can't do the exercises as well as them, I certainly try to put in an effort.
“I've also heard that the shirts this year – all the practice shirts and coach’s shirts – are going to be very, very tight.
“So, I need to make sure that I am not too fat as we get into the season.”
The five pillars of Islam
Persuasion
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
South and West: From a Notebook
Joan Didion
Fourth Estate
Bullet%20Train
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Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Read more about the coronavirus
Mina Cup winners
Under 12 – Minerva Academy
Under 14 – Unam Pumas
Under 16 – Fursan Hispania
Under 18 – Madenat
Iftar programme at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
Established in 1998, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding was created with a vision to teach residents about the traditions and customs of the UAE. Its motto is ‘open doors, open minds’. All year-round, visitors can sign up for a traditional Emirati breakfast, lunch or dinner meal, as well as a range of walking tours, including ones to sites such as the Jumeirah Mosque or Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
Every year during Ramadan, an iftar programme is rolled out. This allows guests to break their fast with the centre’s presenters, visit a nearby mosque and observe their guides while they pray. These events last for about two hours and are open to the public, or can be booked for a private event.
Until the end of Ramadan, the iftar events take place from 7pm until 9pm, from Saturday to Thursday. Advanced booking is required.
For more details, email openminds@cultures.ae or visit www.cultures.ae
Sri Lanka World Cup squad
Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis, Isuru Udana, Milinda Siriwardana, Avishka Fernando, Jeevan Mendis, Lahiru Thirimanne, Jeffrey Vandersay, Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal.
The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh219,000
On sale: Now
The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA
Price, base / as tested Dh150,900 / Dh173,600
Engine 2.0L inline four-cylinder
Transmission Seven-speed automatic
Power 211hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 1,200rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.4L / 100km
Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
Name: Brendalle Belaza
From: Crossing Rubber, Philippines
Arrived in the UAE: 2007
Favourite place in Abu Dhabi: NYUAD campus
Favourite photography style: Street photography
Favourite book: Harry Potter
Where to buy art books in the UAE
There are a number of speciality art bookshops in the UAE.
In Dubai, The Lighthouse at Dubai Design District has a wonderfully curated selection of art and design books. Alserkal Avenue runs a pop-up shop at their A4 space, and host the art-book fair Fully Booked during Art Week in March. The Third Line, also in Alserkal Avenue, has a strong book-publishing arm and sells copies at its gallery. Kinokuniya, at Dubai Mall, has some good offerings within its broad selection, and you never know what you will find at the House of Prose in Jumeirah. Finally, all of Gulf Photo Plus’s photo books are available for sale at their show.
In Abu Dhabi, Louvre Abu Dhabi has a beautiful selection of catalogues and art books, and Magrudy’s – across the Emirates, but particularly at their NYU Abu Dhabi site – has a great selection in art, fiction and cultural theory.
In Sharjah, the Sharjah Art Museum sells catalogues and art books at its museum shop, and the Sharjah Art Foundation has a bookshop that offers reads on art, theory and cultural history.
Essentials
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Geneva from Dh2,845 return, including taxes. The flight takes 6 hours.
The package
Clinique La Prairie offers a variety of programmes. A six-night Master Detox costs from 14,900 Swiss francs (Dh57,655), including all food, accommodation and a set schedule of medical consultations and spa treatments.
Results
5.30pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: Al Battar, Mickael Barzalona (jockey), Salem bin Ghadayer (trainer).
6.05pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,200m; Winner: Good Fighter, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
6.40pm: Handicap Dh185,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Way Of Wisdom, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
7.15pm: Handicap Dh170,000 (D) 2,200m; Winner: Immortalised, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
7.50pm: Handicap Dh185,000 (T) 2,000m; Winner: Franz Kafka, James Doyle, Simon Crisford.
8.25pm: Handicap Dh185,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Mayadeen, Connor Beasley, Doug Watson.
9pm: Handicap Dh185,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Chiefdom, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer
