IPL 2021: Two Players From KKR Test Positive, Monday’s Match Against RCB Rescheduled

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been dealt with a new setback as two players from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad have tested positive for the coronavirus. With this in mind, Monday’s solitary game between KKR and the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has been postponed. 

“Varun Chakaravarthy (sic) and Sandeep Warrier were found to be positive in the third round of testing in the last four days. All other team members have tested negative for COVID -19,” a media release by IPL said, confirming that the game scheduled to take place on May 3 in Ahmedabad has been rescheduled, though no alternative date was mentioned. 

“The BCCI and the Kolkata Knight Riders prioritise the health and safety of everyone involved and all measures are being taken in that endeavour,” the IPL media release said. 

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This has understandably raised questions about the safety of the IPL amidst the pandemic. It is reported that the two players tested positive after Chakravarthy visited a hospital via the official green channel to get a scan on his shoulder. 

This has led to speculation that Chakravarthy may have been infected at the health facility. A green channel is a pathway established for players and staff to leave their respective bio-bubbles for scans and other necessary treatment.  

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Although there were two instances of players reporting positive for COVID-19 prior to the start of the 2021 season, this is the first time that cases have been reported during the tournament. Akshar Patel from Delhi Capitals and Devdutt Padikkal from RCB had to recover from the virus before joining their team for the start of this year’s IPL.

Three non-players from CSK test positive

In a separate development, three members of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) contingent have tested positive for COVID-19 as per a new report. However, none of them are players and the three remain isolated. 

ESPNCricinfo reports that CSK Chief Executive Officer K Viswanathan, Bowling coach Lakshmipathy Balaji, and a bus cleaner tested positive for the virus. It is learnt that CSK players have cancelled their practice session in light of this development.

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