Working out with a suitcase: IPL players train in quarantine in UAE – in pictures

Players wait for clearance to begin training outdoors

Rajasthan Royals bowler Shreyas Gopal works out at his team hotel in Dubai ahead of IPL 2020. Courtesy Rajasthan Royals twitter / @rajasthanroyals

Rajasthan Royals' Shashank Singh at his team hotel in Dubai ahead of IPL 2020. Courtesy Rajasthan Royals twitter / @rajasthanroyals

Rajasthan Royals' Manan Vohra uses a suitcase to train at his team hotel in Dubai ahead of IPL 2020. Courtesy Rajasthan Royals twitter / @rajasthanroyals

Rajasthan Royals bowler Ankit Rajpoot works out at his team hotel in Dubai ahead of IPL 2020. Courtesy Rajasthan Royals twitter / @rajasthanroyals

Sunrisers Hyderabad's Vijay Shankar works out in Dubai. Courtesy Sunrisers Hyderabad twitter / @SunRisers

Rajasthan Royals bowler Varun Aaron works out at his team hotel in Dubai . Courtesy Rajasthan Royals twitter / @rajasthanroyals

Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli hit the gym soon after landing in Dubai. Courtesy Royal Challengers Bangalore twitter

Necessity is the mother of invention. For players of the eight franchises in the UAE for IPL 2020, that is the mantra as they look to stay fit.

The cricketers are in quarantine as they wait to clear the Covid-19 tests before being allowed to begin team training. But in the meantime, they still have to stay in shape.

Most players have been working out from the confines of their rooms. Rajasthan Royals player Manan Vohra was even seen substituting a suitcase for weights during his workout.

Mumbai Indians' Rohit Sharma, Chennai Super Kings' Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja have posted videos of their workout sessions from their hotel rooms.

While fitness is the main focus of the players for now, Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli has urged everyone involved to also ensure the bio-security of the league as a single breach could jeopardise the tournament.

“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," Kohli told his team members during a meeting via Zoom.

“One mistake from anyone of us could literally spoil the whole tournament, and none of us would want to do that."

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Venues that will host IPL in UAE

A general view of Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Getty Images

Ashfaq Ahmed of the UAE comes out to bat in the match between the UAE and Australia in a T20 international October 22, 2018 at Zayed Cricket Stadium's Tolerance oval. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Moeen Ali of England bats during a nets session at Zayed Cricket Stadium on October 11, 2015 in Abu Dhabi. Getty Images

Sam Billings of England keeps wicket during a nets session at Zayed Cricket Stadium. Getty Images

England captain Alastair Cook bats during a nets session at Zayed Cricket Stadium on October 12, 2015 in Abu Dhabi. Getty Images

General View of the ICC Academy, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The UAE cricket team are back at training at the ICC Academy in Dubai after the government have eased restrictions due to Covid-19 coronavirus. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Cricket summer camps at ICC Academy. Courtesy ICC Academy

UAE cricket team trains ahead of tour to Zimbabwe at the ICC Academy in Dubai. Satish Kumar for The National

A purple sky over the ICC Academy in Dubai during a cricket game. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Sharjah cricket academy at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The changing rooms at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The new swimming pool at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The new gym at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Chris Whiteoak / The National

General view of Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Chris Whiteoak / The National