The BCCI is on alert after the emergence of more Covid positive cases inside various IPL bio-bubbles on Monday. Two members of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have tested positive for Covid-19, while the rest of the team tested positive in Delhi.
According to reports, CSK Bowling Coach Laxmipathy Balaji and a bus cleaner tested positive, following which the team cancelled its practice in Delhi today. Reportedly, the three members took a fresh test today morning to double-check if they are positive. If they test positive again, they will be moved from the team bubble and will have to undergo isolation for 10 days. After their isolation, they will have to undergo two negative tests and will be allowed to return to the team bubble.
The developments in Delhi comes hours after two players of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) tested positive for Covid-19 in Ahmedabad. KKR Bowlers Varun Chakravarthy and Sandeep Warrier are in isolation after their tests returned positive for Covid-19. The tests of the remaining team members returned negative. Following the two KKR players testing positive, the BCCI has rescheduled the match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and KKR that was take place this evening. The two teams are currently in Ahmedabad.
Seeing the situation in IPL bio-bubbles, #Cancel IPL has been trending on Twitter as India is passing through a grim phase amid the second Covid-19 wave. There are suggestions that either the BCCI cancels the tournament or take hiatus and continue after the Covid-19 becomes better as half the league matches are already over.
Currently, matches are being played in Delhi and Ahmedabad. Four teams – Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kolkata Knight Riders, Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals – are in Ahmedabad. Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad are currently in Delhi.
Reportedly, five members of the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) ground staff have also tested positive for Covid-19. According to reports, these ground staff members were present in the afternoon game between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals in Delhi on Sunday.
The BCCI has to take a call whether the tournament should progress or cancel. In the past, the BCCI said that the tournament would continue after four players and an umpire left their respective bio-bubbles and returned to their homes due to the Covid-19 situation. Among players Ravichandran Ashwin, Kane Richardson, Adam Zampa and Andrew Tye have already returned to their homes. Indian top umpire Nitin Menon left the IPL after his family members tested positive for Covid-19.
