The 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is all set to commence on September 19 in the UAE. All the players are already in the country and in quarantine before undergoing a three-week camp ahead of the tournament. The T20 extravaganza will be played behind closed doors for the first time while the BCCI has also introduced the mid-season transfer of the players like it is used in Football.

The board had introduced it last year itself but complex rules led to no franchise showing interest in it. However, this time around, there are no restrictions for the teams in terms of leaving or buying the player during the season. And the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are looking forward to using it if needed. The team’s Director of Cricket Operations, Mike Hesson confirmed that they will look to transfer some player if needed.

“Look if it is needed, later on, we are certainly open to it. We’ve got a small squad and we’ve done that for a reason. If something injuries were to occur, we’d certainly look at that,” Hesson was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.

Mid-season transfers can be done halfway through IPL

The mid-season transfers can be done once the IPL 2020 reaches its halfway. The teams can take players, Indian and Overseas, on loans this season and it will be interesting to see how teams strategize their moves. Mike Hesson also reckons that the sides will have a job on their hands to identify the correct player for them at that particular stage of the tournament.

“You, however, need both teams to buy into any potential loan. So you need to make sure the other side is happy with the loan and think they’ll get benefit from it later on in the tournament as well. So it’s not a matter of identifying someone you want, they also have to be allowed to be released as well.

“It will come in at some stage due to the fact that it’s hard to get potential replacements. We are very comfortable with the squad we have, but if we get injuries or so forth then loan opportunities could become an option. It’s certainly something that BCCI are well aware of as well,” he further added.