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SPORTS JUNE 04, 2021 | The Indian Eye 52

But yes, tentatively, we are look- rohit waiting for
ing at the September 15 to Oc- a ‘reunion’ with fans
tober 15 window. We would like
to have 25 days to complete the any people couldn’t
league,” the source said. hold their excitement
Asked if talks are on with the Mon hearing about the
Emirates Cricket Board on the iconic American show ‘Friends’
same, the source said the matter return but for India opener Ro-
will be further discussed at the hit Sharma the only thing he is
Special General Meeting on May eagerly waiting for is a reunion
29. “This is a tentative plan and with the cricket fans.
will be discussed during the SGM After a long break of nearly
on Saturday,” the source said. 17 years, the 90s sitcom is com-
The source further said that ing back as ‘Friends: The Re-
a bubble-to-bubble movement union’ for fans to be streamed
would be planned for the Indian on HBO from May 27, 2021.
players who are currently gear- But the Mumbai Indians skip-
ing up to play in the UK -- the Ravindra Jadeja per awaits the reunion with
World Test Championship final the fans in the cricket stadium
and the five-match Test series as games are currently being
against England. played behind closed doors.
“The final Test gets over at “F.R.I.E.N.D.S, this is the
Old Trafford on September 14, reunion I am waiting for!” Rohit
so, we will look at getting the tweeted while sharing a throw-
boys flown in from the bubble in back picture.
UK to the team bubbles in UAE The special show reunites
to minimalize the quarantine pe- Cox and Perry with Jennifer
riod. All that will be planned as Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, David
we move ahead with franchises Schwimmer, and Matt LeBlanc,
already moving base with those on screen for the first time since
not playing international crick- the sitcom ended in 2004.
et,” the source explained. The reunion was filmed on
The 14th edition of the Stage 24, on the Warner Bros.
league had to be cancelled on Studio lot in Burbank, Califor-
May 4 after a number of players nia, where the show was origi-
and support staff tested positive nally shot. It was set to be filmed
for COVID-19. in 2020 but faced delays due to
no break for ipl, Rohit Sharma the coronavirus pandemic.
Meanwhile, Rohit is gearing
says ashley giles up for the World Test Champi-

shley Giles, the man- need to be made keeping the schedule now, so we get our onship (WTC) final against New
aging director of En- COVID-19 situation in mind. guys arriving in the best shape Zealand in Southampton and is
Agland men’s team, But yes, tentatively, we are look- possible for the T20 World Cup in quarantine as Team India pre-
has said that the England ing at the September 15 to Oc- and the Ashes,” he added. pares to leave for the UK tour.
and Wales Cricket (ECB) are tober 15 window. We would like India and England will lock The BCCI has made a fool-
not planning to change their to have 25 days to complete the horns in a five-match Test series proof plan for the national
schedule for the Indian Pre- league,” the source said. starting in August. Giles also team before they depart for the
mier League (IPL) 2021. Giles while admitted that few confirmed that England had no UK and arrangements were
The suspended 14th edition players might be rested during plans to tweak the schedule of made for all the players to un-
of the IPL is likely to be played that phase, he asserted that the the series. dergo three RT-PCR tests be-
in UAE in the September 15 “intention of giving guys a break “I’m not aware of anything fore assembling in Mumbai on
to October 15 window with the wouldn’t be for them to go and official, any requests to shift May 19.
Board of Control for Cricket in play cricket elsewhere.” anything,” said Giles. After completing the two-
India (BCCI) looking at a 25- “We are going to have to “As far as we’re concerned week quarantine in Mumbai,
day window for the cash-rich give some of these guys a break and what we’re prepared for, the team will undergo another
league. Speaking to ANI, sourc- at some point. But the intention the matches will be where they 10-day quarantine in the UK.
es in the know of developments of giving guys a break for, say, are. I’m not surprised there’s all The second period will see
has said that the BCCI is look- Bangladesh, wouldn’t be for sorts of speculation. them first undergo a hard quar-
ing to host the 31 games in 25 them to go and play cricket else- Everyone wants to get their antine before they take the
days provided the COVID-19 where,” ESPNcricinfo quoted cricket in. But we’ve not re- field to train for the WTC final
situation is in control. Giles as saying. ceived anything official and against New Zealand in South-
“See, at present, all plans “We have to manage our we’re cracking on. ampton, starting June 18.

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