Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore opener Devdutt Padikkal has tested for the contaminated coronavirus days ahead of the start of the IPL 2021. The Virat Kohli-led side opens their campaign against defending champions Mumbai Indians on the opening day of the tournament – April 9 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
BCCI has been marred with COVID-19 cases as we are coming close to the start of the tournament. After a couple of ground staffs and a few cricketers were tested positive for COVID-19, Padikkal has now been tested with the life-taking disease. And if reports are to be believed, the left-hander is set to miss out on RCB’s first two games of the league.
Devdutt Padikkal tests COVID-19 positive
Devdutt Padikkal is currently serving his quarantine period. The rising number of COVID-19 cases in Mumbai and the restrictions imposed by the Maharashtra government have created troubles for the BCCI. The board is currently in a huddle, wondering if the backup plan needs to be implemented.
“Let’s wait and watch the next 48 hours. Until then, everybody needs to strictly respect the protocols, increase the testing and not break the bio-bubbles. If they follow the norms, things will definitely be fine,” sources, privy to the development, were quoted as saying to The Times of India (TOI).
Before Devdutt Padikkal, Kolkata Knight Riders’ Nitish Rana and Delhi Capitals Axar Patel were also tested positive for COVID-19. Padikkal finished as the highest run-scorer for Royal Challengers Bangalore in his debut IPL season in the UAE and grabbed the attention of the world. The southpaw’s unavailability in the first few games will hurt RCB’s plan going into IPL 2021.
The batsman from Karnataka has been in stellar form with the bat in this season as well scoring tons of runs in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy. Bangalore will be keen to get their in-form back with the squad as early as possible as the Virat Kohli-led side looks to end their trophy drought in the cash-rich league.
