IPL 2021: Royal Challengers Bangalore All-Rounder Daniel Sams Tests Positive For COVID-19

Royal Challengers Bangalore sustained yet another body blow ahead of IPL 2021 as all-rounder Daniel Sams became the latest player to be tested positive for COVID-19. Royal Challengers Bangalore confirmed through their official Twitter handle that Daniel Sams’ latest report from the second test on 7th April returned positive. Although, the left-arm seamer’s report on arrival on 3rd April came out as negative.

Royal Challengers Bangalore’s medical team revealed that it stays in constant touch with Daniel Sams to supervise his health as per BCCI’s protocols. The Sydney Thunder all-rounder succumbing to the deadly virus became the second instance after the franchise opening batsman Devdutt Padikkal had tested positive for COVID-19. Nevertheless, the Royal Challengers confirmed Paddikal tested negative; however, it remains unclear whether he would be available for the season opener on 9th April.

Meanwhile, the franchise has isolated Daniel Sams immediately to monitor his health. Sams arrived as a replacement for Jason Roy in the Delhi Capitals in IPL 2020; however, he got traded with Harshal Patel for the Royal Challengers ahead of IPL 2021. He featured in three matches for the Capitals last year, but went wicketless. Nonetheless, the 28-year old had an outstanding 2020-21 BBL season as he mustered 200 runs for the Thunder, keeping a strike rate of 188.67 in ten games and took 11 wickets at 23.72.

Below is Royal Challengers Bangalore’s tweet regarding Daniel Sams:

Royal Challengers Bangalore medical team is in constant touch with Daniel Sams and continue to monitor his health and abide by the BCCI protocols.

— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Overall, the second wave of COVID-19 in India has started raging through the upcoming edition of the T20 extravaganza. While cricketers like Padikkal, Nitish Rana, and Axar Patel have contracted the infection, 8-10 groundsmen of the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai suffered the same fate and so did a Chennai Super Kings’ member. On Tuesday, it also emerged that Mumbai Indians’ talent scout Kiran More also tested positive for COVID-19.

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