Delhi Capitals’ (DC) head coach Ricky Ponting will be forced to miss his team’s Friday (April 22) game against Rajasthan Royals at the historic Wankhede stadium.
Ponting will not travel with his side to the stadium as one of his family member, who was staying with him at the team hotel, has tested positive for COVID-19.
Although Ponting had tested negative twice howeve, as one of his family members has now tested positive, the former Aussie skipper has been now forced to serve a short quarantine as it is an only a precautionary measure to avoid any further spread of the deadly virus.
Meanwhile, as per reports, Ponting’s entire family has been moved into a isolation facility while the DC skipper himself will be in quarantine for the next five days.
Revealing the incident, DC shared an official statement and also urged to respect privacy of Ponting and his family during these tough times. The franchise also informed that all the positive members of the contingent are being closely monitored at the moment.
“A family member of Delhi Capitals Head Coach Ricky Ponting has tested positive for COVID. The family has now been moved into an isolation facility and is being well taken care of. Ponting himself has tested negative twice subsequently. However, in the best interest of the team, the management and medical team has decided that he will remain in isolation for five days, as he was a close contact,” DC said in a statement.
“He will, therefore, not be present at the ground for tonight’s game against Rajasthan Royals. The franchise requests for Ponting and his family’s privacy to be respected in the current scenario. The condition of all individuals in the bubble who have tested positive so far is being closely monitored. The team looks forward to everyone’s speedy recovery,” the statement read.
Earlier, DC’s game against Punjab Kings (PBKS) on Wednesday (April 20) was shifted from the MCA Stadium in Pune to the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) after multiple COVID-19 cases were detected inside the DC camp.
Later, the entire DC contingent underwent COVID tests on Thursday (April 21) and Friday (April 22).
Earlier, as many as six members of the DC camp, including two overseas players – Tim Seifert and Mitchell Marsh – had tested positive for the virus.
In the ongoing IPL season, the Rishabh Pant-led DC will now take on the Rajasthan Royals at the iconic Wankhede stadium in Mumbai on Friday (April 22).
With three wins and as many defeats from six games, DC are placed sixth in the points-table while the Royals occupy the third spot with four wins and two losses so far in the season.