As per the recent reports, veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is likely to rejoin the Delhi team for the final leg of the 2021 Indian T20 League. After Delhi's match against Hyderabad on April 25, the 34-year-old left the league's bio-bubble to be with his family as they fight the coronavirus pandemic.
It was later confirmed by his wife, Preethi Ashwin, that several members of his family have tested positive for COVID-19 are undergoing treatment for the same. Taking to his social media accounts, the spinner said that he is taking a break from the Indian T20 League as his family is putting a fight against COVID. He, however, did mention that he 'expects to return to play if things go in the right direction.'
I would be taking a break from this years IPL from tomorrow. My family and extended family are putting up a fight against #COVID19 and I want to support them during these tough times. I expect to return to play if things go in the right direction. Thank you @DelhiCapitals 🙏🙏
— Stay home stay safe! Take your vaccine🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) April 25, 2021
However, Ashwin's re-entering the bio-bubble will first require him to be in a seven-day quarantine period and test negative for COVID-19.
From what I hear @ashwinravi99 might be back with @DelhiCapitals for the last leg. Things at home are better is what I hear. So glad if that’s the case and I wish him some respite mentally. It will be great to see him back. We need leaders like him.
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) May 3, 2021
Delhi are set to play the final leg of their campaign in Kolkata from May 11, unless the tournament shifts to Mumbai entirely. The team had started their journey at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium before moving to the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. In eight games so far this season, the last year's finalists have won six and lost twice as they sit atop of the league's standings.
Meanwhile, it has been a difficult tenure for the Indian T20 league especially in the last couple of days. Several players and staff members have tested positive for COVID-19 which culminated in two matches - Kolkata vs Bangalore and Chennai vs Rajasthan - getting rescheduled already.
Featured photo: Twitter / IPL
