Kolkata Knight Riders' Varun Chakravarthy and Sandeep Warrier have tested positive for coronavirus. Tonight's match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore will now be rescheduled as the two players have contracted the virus.
The IPL match was supposed to be held at the Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad. ANI confirmed the news and quoted BCCI official stating that the news of players testing positive has left the RCB team wary.
"I have received a message from the BCCI CEO and the venue in-charge that today's match is suspended and a new date will be announced later in the day," Gujarat Cricket Association secretary Anil Patel was quoted telling Sportstar. However, there has not been any official statement from BCCI on it yet.
It is said that the players have gone into isolation and a second test result is awaited to eliminate any false reports.
"Two members of the contingent have tested positive for COVID but we are waiting for their second test reports to avoid the false positive scenario that happened with Anrich Nortje of Delhi Capitals earlier", a source was quoted telling HT. The match probably would be played sometime later in the month. This year's IPL is scheduled to end on May 30.
Veteran journalist, Meha Bhardwaj, who spoke to a BCCI official has confirmed that though today's match has been postponed and would be rescheduled, this won't have an impact on other IPL matches. "Just spoke to a BCCI official, he says no other match has to be rescheduled as of now. Also said that if the players are being tested daily there is no need for isolation for the players who may have come in contact with a positive person. #IPL2021 #KKRvRCB #CovidIndia"
The entire KKR players and supoort staff have gone into isolation and would be tested everyday for the next one week. The players will have to follow the bio-bubble protocols before they can make their way out to the field.
"Varun Chakaravarthy and Sandeep Warrier were found to be positive in the third round of testing in the last four days. All other team members have tested negative for COVID-19. The medical team is in continuous touch with the duo and are monitoring their health. Meanwhile, the Kolkata Knight Riders have now moved towards a daily testing routine to identify any other possible cases and treat them at the earliest," a BCCI statement said.
