Covid-19 continues to haunt Delhi Capitals camp as the team has been put under strict quarantine ahead of their clash against Punjab Kings on April 20 at the MCA Stadium in Pune.
It was understood that Delhi Capitals have cancelled their schedule to travel to Pune after another Covid positive case in the camp following team's physio Patrick Farhart, who had earlier contracted coronavirus on April 15.
Meanwhile, it was learnt that the an overseas player has been tested positive for covid-19 during Rapid Antingen Test. His RTPCR report is awaited. Additional covid-19 tests are being carried out now.
DC are scheduled to play against Mayank Agarwal-led Punjab Kings in Pune on Wednesday (April 20). According to the BCCI rules, fixtures of teams failing to field a playing XI amid Covid-19 crisis will be postponed. If that’s not possible, the issue will be referred to the IPL Technical Committee and a final decision will be taken.
“BCCI, at its discretion, will attempt to reschedule the match for later in the season if a team cannot field a playing XI due to Covid-19. If this is not possible, the issue will be referred to the IPL Technical Committee,” states the rule.
Meanwhile, Dhananjay Kaushik, the assistant physio of Delhi Capitals, is expected to take over the duties now until Patrick Farhart recovers. According to the protocols, the latter will now have to be in isolation for seven days away from the rest of the team. He will be tested on 6th and 7th day during this period. To re-enter the bio-bubble, Farhart will have to provide two negative RT-PCR tests taken 24 hours apart. He should also show no fresh symptoms for next 24 hours and there shouldn’t be any use of medication for 24 hours as well.
With Covid cases rising outside the IPL bio-bubble, the virus threat inside the protected environment has also increased.
Last season, the tournament had to be suspended midway due to the second wave before it could be completed in the UAE in September-October.
