The match between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Punjab Kings (PBKS), which is scheduled for Wednesday, April 20, in is danger after the Capitals' Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh tested positive for Covid-19 following RTPCR tests by the team management as well as the BCCI. Furthermore, two members of DC's support staff have also tested positive, taking the total number of cases in the team to four.
"Delhi Capitals all-rounder Mitchell Marsh has tested positive for COVID-19, following which he has been admitted to a hospital. The Delhi Capitals medical team is closely monitoring Marsh’s condition. A few more members from the Delhi Capitals bio-bubble, including support staff members, have returned positive tests as well. Though they are all asymptomatic, their condition is being monitored closely by the franchise," the club said in their official statement.
With a CT value of 17, Marsh has been hospitalised after testing positive. In addition to the all-rounder, DC's team doctor, a member of the social media team, and three hotel staff personnel have tested positive for the virus as well. Earlier, team physio Patrick Farhart had tested positive for the virus.
Meanwhile, the RTPCR reports of all other players have returned negative.
The Capitals are slated to play Punjab at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. Hemang Amin, Chief Operating Officer of Indian Premier League (IPL), has said that they will wait for tests results till April 19. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will take a call on their clash against PBKS after the test results.
What do the rules say?
As per the BCCI rules, DC's fixture against PBKS will be postponed if they fail to field a playing XI. If postponing the fixture is not possible, the issue will be taken up by IPL Technical Committee for a final decision.
“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.
Farhart connection
Marsh was undergoing rehab under team physio Patrick Farhart's guidance. It is also possible that the T20 World Cup 2021-winning Aussie all-rounder picked up mild symptoms during the period.
"DC were supposed to travel to Pune today but the entire squad members have been told to retire to their respective rooms and as per protocol RT PCR is being done to ascertain whether there is an outbreak in the camp or it is an isolated case like Patrick Farhart," a BCCI source had earlier said.
DC's IPL performance so far
DC lost their previous game against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Marsh made his debut in that game after recovering from injury. He had an unimpressive outing scoring just 14 runs from 24 deliveries which contributed to DC falling short of the target by 17 runs. Currently, they are placed eighth on the points table with two wins from three games.
Last season, the tournament was suspended midway due to the second wave. It was resumed and completed in the UAE in September-October.
