COVID Hits IPL Again: Foreign Player Tests Positive After Physio, Delhi’s Travel To Pune On Hold

Pune: COVID has struck IPL again.

Two days after Delhi Capitals’ physiotherapist Patrick Farhart tested COVID-positive, one of the team’s overseas players have contracted the coronavirus, PTI reported.

The squad’s scheduled travel to Pune on Wednesday has been put on hold till every member is tested.

The Rishabh Pant-led team is due to face Punjab Kings in their next fixture on Wednesday, byt the fate of the match remains uncertain.

According to sources, an Australian allrounder – most likely Mitchell Marsh, who joined the team late — showed some symptoms and a Rapid Antigen Test was performed which came positive.

“DC were supposed to travel to Pune today but the entire squad members have been told to retire to their respective rooms and as per protocol, RT PCR is being done to ascertain whether there is an outbreak in the camp or it is an isolated case like that of Patrick Farhart,” PTI quoted a BCCI source as saying.

Another member of the support staff has also reportedly shown symptoms, but RT-PCR result is awaited.

All teams are staying at the same hotel, where a bio-bubble has been created.

The 2020 IPL had to be shifted out of India and was held in the UAE during September-November.

Last year, BCCI took a chance and got the tournament underway in India. But with a violent second wave of COVID pandemic hitting India, the 14th edition of the T20 league had to be suspended midway. It was later completed in the UAE in September-October 2021.

BCCI officials will be praying that the 15th edition doesn’t meet the same fate.