IPL 2021 match number 30, which was supposed to see Kolkata Knight Riders square off against Royal Challengers Bangalore at Motera in Ahmedabad has been rescheduled. It is reported that two KKR players have tested positive for COVID-19.
The 2021 edition of the IPL, which was sailing smoothly so far, may have run into a roadblock. The game between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) – match number 30 has been rescheduled. Two KKR players – Varun Chakravarthy and Sandeep Warrier, have tested positive for COVID-19.
The IPL released an official statement confirming the same. Both players have isolated themselves from the team. Barring Chakravarthy and Warrier, all other KKR players tested negative.
“IPL reschedules KKR-RCB match slated for May 3, 2021 after 2 KKR players test positive. Varun Chakaravarthy 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. Both the players have isolated themselves from the rest of the squad. The Medical Team is in continuous touch with the duo and are monitoring their health.
Meanwhile, the Kolkata Knight Riders have now moved towards a daily testing routine to identify any other possible cases and treat them at the earliest,”
the official release read.
The release also stated that the medical team is looking into the ‘close and casual contacts’ of the two players who tested positive. It also mentioned that the BCCI and KKR endeavour to prioritize the health and safety of everyone involved. Moreover, KKR have now moved to a day to day testing routine to identify any other possible positive cases.
It is learnt that Chakravarthy recently left the bio-bubble through an official green signal in order to carry out a few scans on his shoulder, and that is where he could have possibly caught the infection. There have been COVID-19 cases in the IPL before, but all of those were much before the tournament got underway or before the player/staff joining the team bubble. Thus, this is the first instance of a COVID-19 positive case inside a team’s bio-bubble.
The KKR-RCB match has been officially postponed, but a date hasn’t been announced. Both teams have played seven matches each. While RCB are third on the points table with 10 points, KKR are seventh with four points.
KKR’s next game is on May 8 against Delhi Capitals, while RCB next face Punjab Kings on May 6. Both games are scheduled to take place in Ahmedabad.
