The Indian T20 League clash between Kolkata and Bangalore, scheduled for Monday, has been postponed after Kolkata players Varun Chakravarthy and Sandeep Warrier tested COVID positive on Monday.
Both the payers had recently left the bio-bubble through the official green channel to carry out a scan on their injuries and it is believed that they got exposed there. While Kolkata's star all-rounder Pat Cummins had also reportedly fallen ill, the Australian has later tested negative along with all other players and staff at the Kolkata camp.
"Varun Chakravarthy 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," BCCI informed in a statement.
"Both the players have isolated themselves from the rest of the squad. 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.
"The Medical Team is also determining the close and casual contacts of the two positive cases during the 48 hours prior to collection of the sample that returned the positive test results," the release read.
Media release @IPL pic.twitter.com/kkTStkp8Wx
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) May 3, 2021
With COVID-19 cases rising in India, many have asked for the Indian T20 League to be called off but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has continuously assured them of their secure bio bubble – a solution NBA, Bundesliga, English Premier League, La Liga, UEFA Champions League and many others have successfully resorted to.
Earlier this year, the Pakistan Super League had to be postponed indefinitely mid-season after Quetta Gladiators’ Tom Banton and Karachi Kings coach Kamran Khan had tested positive.
The Virat Kohli-led Bangalore team are currently sitting third in the points table with 10 points from seven games while Kolkata are seventh with two wins from as many games.
