IPL 2021: Don't Know How It Happened - BCCI After T Natarajan Tests Positive

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) pace bowler T Natarajan returned positive results in his covid-19 test on Wednesday. Subsequently, several members deemed to be in close contact were immediately isolated. The cause for the positive test hasn’t been determined yet as per the BCCI.

The board has stated that the players are under strict bubbles in the UAE and all the protocols are being followed rigorously. Although yesterday’s match between SRH and Delhi Capitals (DC) went ahead as scheduled, the players will be a lot more careful now.

“Don’t know how it happened. Players are under strict bio-bubble. We have told them to be more cautious now. We just hope no more cases come and disturb the proceeding (IPL).”

“Yes, we are worried but there is no need to press the panic button right no’. Let’s hope for the best. We are getting all the support in the UAE (related to Covid). They, too, are keeping a close watch on everything,” a senior BCCI official was quoted as saying to IANS.

The official also kept a neutral view on whether allowing the crowds was a mistake. “SRH played their first match yesterday. And Natarajan tested positive before that� so the entire team was under a strict bubble,” he said.

All-rounder Vijay Shankar isolated alongside a few other support staff after T Natarajan’s positive case

SRH all-rounder Vijay Shankar, team manager Vijay Kumar, physiotherapist Shyam Sundar J, Dr. Anjana Vannan, logistics manager Tushar Khedkar, and net bowler Periyasamy Ganesan were sent into isolation following T Natarajan testing positive yesterday.

Previously, the first phase of the IPL 2021 was postponed after KKR’s Varun Chakravarthy tested positive. Soon, other camps started reporting covid outbreaks which forced the BCCI to indefinitely postponed the IPL. It was moved to the UAE but the sudden positive case might plant a few doubts in BCCI’s mind.

Also Read – IPL 2021: T Natarajan Testing COVID-19 Positive Didn’t Affect The Result Of The Match, States Trevor Bayliss