In what could be a major blow to the BCCI, Indian Prelier League (IPL) franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) T. Natarajan has tested positive in a scheduled RT-PCR Test.
According to a BCCI release, the fast bowler, who is asymptomatic, and six close contacts identified by the medical team including Vijay Shankar, Vijay Kumar (Team Manager), Shyam Sundar J (Physiotherapist), Anjana Vannan (Doctor), Tushar Khedkar (Logistics Manager) and Periyasamy Ganesan (Net Bowler) have been placed in isolation.
The rest of the SRH squad returned negative results on the RT-PCR Tests conducted this morning.
Significantly, the IPL 2021 season was postponed indefinately due to the emergence of multiple Covid-19 positive cases in the tournament’s bio-bubble during the second leg in May first week.
Later on May 29, the BCCI had announced that the remaining matches of the 14th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) remaining matches will be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the months of September-October.
“The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday announced to complete the remaining matches of VIVO Indian Premier League 2021 season in the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E) considering the monsoon season in India in the months of September-October this year,” a statement from the Indian Cricket Board had said.
“The decision was taken at a Special General Meeting (SGM) held virtually, where members unanimously agreed to resume IPL,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the board also spoke to the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to be held in India in October-November.
“The BCCI SGM further authorised the Office Bearers to seek an extension of time from the ICC to take an appropriate call on the hosting of ICC T20 World Cup 2021,” the statement had said further.
At present, Delhi Capitals (DC), the last season’s runners-up, is placed at the top of the IPL 2021 points table with six wins from eight games and 12 points in their kitty.
DC is followed by CSK, RCB and MI at the second, third and fourth place respectively.
The next four places are occupied by Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad, which has managed just a solitary win from seven games it played in the first half.
With 380 runs, DC’s Shikhar Dhawan is the leading run-getter in the tournament while RCB’s Harshal Patel tops the charts for leading wicket-takes after scalping 17 wickets from seven games so far.