Delhi Capitals (DC) next clash which was scheduled to take place on April 22 at Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium, Pune, has been shifted to Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
The change of venue for the game against Rajasthan Royals (RR) is a result of sixth Covid-positive case in Capitals’ camp. After Mitchell Marsh, DC’s Kiwi-recruit, Tim Seifert tested positive for the virus few hours before the clash against Punjab Kings on April 20.
On April 20, the entire DC contingent underwent a couple of rounds of Covid testing. Despite one member testing positive for the virus, the DC vs PBKS clash went ahead as per the Covid guidelines set for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
So far, two of DC’s players have contracted the virus in addition to physio Patrick Farhart. The change of venue has been done as a precautionary measure to avoid travel.
Earlier, the Aussie all-rounder was hospitalised after his CT score came 17. So far, Seifert’s CT score has not been revealed.
The Kiwi wicketkeeper-batter caught the virus in the first phase of previous season as well when he was a part of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) franchise.
In absence of Marsh and Seifert, skipper Rishabh Pant went into the PBKS game with three overseas players. He included Sarfaraz Khan in the playing XI.
“It (Covid positive cases in the team) is an unfortunate thing, we are not going to think about it. We will find strength among ourselves,” Pant said after winning the toss and opting to field first.
“Things have been a bit interrupted with Mitchell Marsh being down with Covid and our session yesterday was pushed back. We have to turn up with a positive attitude and we know we have to play well in this game,” DC head coach Ricky Ponting said before the game.
