Delhi Capitals (DC) allrounder Mitchell Marsh has reportedly tested positive for Covid-19 and will now need to isolate for atleast a week as per the Indian Premier League (IPL) guidelines.
Notably, the Aussie all-rounder is the third DC member after physio Patrick Farhart and one of the support staff members, to test positive.
On Monday, the entire DC squad underwent fresh round of RT-PCR tests and the BCCI will now take a call on whether the Capitals can travel to Pune to play Punjab Kings on April 20 at the MCA stadium. DC were supposed to reach Pune on Monday itself however, the travel was forced to be postponed.
As per reports, Marsh underwent two rounds of RT-PCR tests. Although, he tested negative in the first one, the second turned out to be positive.
Earlier on Friday, Farhart had tested positive for the deadly virus, a day before DC faced Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). After the development, the IPL management had asked both the teams to maintain social distancing and not to shake hands during or after the match.
Significantly as per the IPL guidelines, any person testing positive in the tournament bio-bubble would need to isolate for a minimum of seven days and to re-enter the bubble, the person would need to return consecutive negative RT-PCR tests taken 24 hours apart.
Moreover, if a franchise had multiple positive cases, the IPL rule says that the team can take the field with a minimum of 12 players, including seven Indians and one substitute and in that case where 12 players are not available then the IPL would take the final call, which would be final and binding.
Notably, the 2020 season of the lucrative league was postponed due to the first wave of the pandemic. The season however, was later staged in the UAE.
Later in 2021, the IPL season was forced to be stopped mid-way after several players had returned positive inside the Ahmedabad and Delhi bio-bubbles. The season was later shifted to the UAE for its completion.
The current year however, witnessed sharp decline in Covid cases following which the tournament organisers decided to allow 25 per cent capacity of crowds in the stadiums.
As of now, DC have played four matches, winning two and losing two. The Pant-led side are currently placed seventh in the ten-team points-table.