Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra, who is doing commentary in the ongoing season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), has tested positive for Covid-19 during the first week of the tournament.
Chopra, 45, took to Twitter share the update about his health and informed that he has mild symptoms and will be away from the commentary duties for a few days.
“Caught and Bowled Covid. Yups…the C Virus has struck again. Really mild symptoms … all under control,” Chopra said in a tweet on Tuesday.
“Will be away from the commentary duties for a few days, hoping to come back stronger #TataIPL,” he added.
Notably, the former cricketer is part of JioCinema — digital broadcasters’ — star-studded commentary panel for IPL 2023, which began on March 31.
Earlier too, the league had been affected by the coronavirus pandemic in the last few seasons due to which the organisers were forced to create bio-bubbles and hold it in safe venues.
In the ongoing season, the cash-rich league has returned to its traditional home and away format after the situation became normal however, India has witnessed a surge in new coronavirus cases in the past one week.
As per reports, the country registered 3,038 new coronavirus cases, while the active cases increased to 21,179, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday.
Earlier in the day, Chopra made a big prediction regarding the possible orange cap winner in the ongoing season as he reckoned that Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) star Virat Kohli will be the contender for the orange cap based on his performance against the Mumbai Indians in the first game.
Significantly, Kohli scored a brilliant 82 off 49 balls, laced with six fours and five sixes chasing a modest total of 171 runs. Batting alongside his RCB skipper Faf du Plessis, the RCB opening pair posted an incredible 148-run stand.
Citing this performance, Chopra felt that Kohli has been showing shades of his dream 2016 season where he amassed 973 runs at an average of 81.08.
“From Virat Kohli’s knock, it seems he will remain in the Orange Cap race this year. There is some similarity between 2016 and this season. He was in sublime form for six months at the international level ahead of IPL 2016. Now also he is close to that sublime form at the international level,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.