The BCCI is staring down the barrel of an IPL rescheduling nightmare: The match between KKR and RCB has been postponed after two players tested positive for COVID-19.

KKR-RCB postponed after two players test positive read more…

Monday, 3rd May 2021

The IPL match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Monday has been postponed after two Indian players in the KKR team tested positive for Covid-19 – spinner Varun Chakravarthy and medium pacer Sandeep Warrier. And, with teams that have played against KKR in the last 14 days being asked to self-isolate by their respective franchises, the situation has become much more complicated. The BCCI was dealing with a rescheduling nightmare.

“In the third round of testing in the last four days, Varun Chakravarthy and Sandeep Warrier were found to be positive. According to an IPL press release, "the other team members have tested negative for COVID -19."

“Both players have separated themselves from the rest of the squad,” it said. The Medical Team is in constant contact with the couple and is keeping an eye on their welfare. Meanwhile, the Kolkata Knight Riders have instituted a regular monitoring regimen in order to detect any additional potential cases and treat them as soon as possible.”

The new date for the KKR-RCB match, which was originally set for Monday at Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad, will be announced soon.

KKR has played Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings, and Chennai Super Kings in the last 14 days. Players from those teams have reportedly been ordered to self-isolate by their respective franchises. Officials participating in such matches will now be required to serve a quarantine period as well.

According to the IPL Covid guidelines, an affected person's "near touch" can "isolate for six days" and return "three negative tests on Day 1, 3 and 6."

The IPL schedule is likely to be jeopardised as a result of the KKR players' positive test and the BCCI's Covid protocol. With the tournament's final set for May 30 and foreign players due to return to national duty in early June, there's a lot to look forward to. The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final between India and New Zealand is set for June 18-22 in Southampton, and the Indian team will benefit from a 15-day break between the IPL and the WTC final.

Covid has popped the IPL bubble at a time when India is dealing with the pandemic's second wave. The BCCI recently increased bio-security initiatives at IPL venues, including additional tests. The most recent creation, on the other hand, has the potential to rock the boat.

The News Talkie Bureau

Source:

NDTV