CPL, IPL preparation keeping Adhishwar busy in quarantine

Bio-bubble and quarantine have been the buzzwords since the resumption of cricketing activities in June. And, experiencing them firsthand is Chennai-based TA Adhishwar, the strategic consultant of Caribbean Premier League (CPL) side Barbados Tridents.

Adhishwar took the trip to the West Indies via USA and is currently in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T), the host nation for CPL 2020 that is set to be held between August 18 and September 10. Having got tested for the coronavirus upon arrival in T&T, the backroom staff has been put under mandatory quarantine at the official hotel.

“My journey to the Caribbean Islands was no different from the ones I made in the past. But because of the COVID-19 pandemic, flights weren’t operating from Indian cities to London. So, I had to come here via America. On July 29, I boarded a flight from Chennai to New Delhi and from the latter, I went to New York. I later touched down in St Lucia and a few days back, the CPL contingent arrived in T&T,” Adhishwar explained to DT Next.

“Following our negative first test results, we are undergoing quarantine. As we are in the middle of a one-week in-room quarantine, we cannot move out of our spaces. After this, we will have another week of quarantine with certain relaxations. To keep staying in the bubble, we will have to continually test negative for the virus,” he said.

Despite remaining in an area which is detached from the outside world, Adhishwar, also the co-founder of Hotel for Dogs, is making the most of his time. “In this edition of CPL, matches will come thick and fast as the event will run only for 20+ days. So, I have been preparing things for it. At times, I watch Netflix and do administrative work for my hotel group,” he added.

Barbados is the current holder of the CPL trophy and will begin its season with a match-up against St Kitts & Nevis Patriots on the opening day. Adhishwar, who takes care of Tridents’ team meetings and selection of players, revealed what it takes to be successful in T20 leagues.

“Being smart is so important. I always tell the players that they should be one step ahead of their opponents. As a consultant, I try to bring in harmony in the dressing room. If the team keeps moving in the right direction, victories will automatically follow. That is what happened last year.” Once CPL comes to a close, Adhishwar will join Mumbai Indians as strategic analyst for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020.