Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic shook the world, sporting events and bio-bubbles have been going hand in hand. It has been two years since this new rule came into force. Athletes need to lead an isolated life during a tournament to avoid the risk of getting infected.
The Indian cricket system is also following the same module for both domestic and international fixtures. In addition to bubble-to-bubble transfer, a new entrant to the eco-system has to go through quarantine before joining the team. Players are forced to remain inside a bio-secure bubble unless they are obliged to play a particular tournament or series.
India batsman KL Rahul shared his experience of bubble fatigue which has become a prevalent issue among players across the world. During a conversation on ‘Red Bull Cricket’ at the club house, he said that the last series against West Indies at home had a huge mental impact on him.
“I was fine initially, but I think the last series and the West Indies series at home really got to me. It was very difficult for me to keep myself motivated. The first few bubbles I managed. Because I kept asking myself, ‘Where else can I be? what else can I do?’ nothing. Cricket is the only thing I am good at and that is the thing that I have chosen, so I owe it to myself,” said Rahul.
“I kept pushing myself like that. But the last few months have been very difficult. Shreyas and I were talking about how it’s getting more and more difficult, especially when your family can’t come with you. You need your family, your friends to feel normal. We stopped feeling normal. We had to sleep, get up, go to the ground. It just became a routine. It started getting very difficult,” he said.
Rahul, who is set to lead the Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2022, further said that the bubble life brought the players closer to each other.
“The good thing was the bubble, the quarantine got the players together, we got to know each other better. On a personal level, I have come to know players with whom I am better than 4-5 years and have become very close friends. You’re constantly improving as you chat with your fellow players about the game. That’s all we know to be honest. We only know about cricket,” said Rahul.
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