IPL 2021: Players who tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of the league

Cricketers such as Axar Patel and Devdutt Padikkal testing positive for coronavirus has sent an alarm to the Indian cricket board (BCCI) as Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 is a week from getting underway.

The 14th edition of IPL is scheduled to begin on April 9, and a rapid rise in the COVID-19 cases in Mumbai and in the country might send tremors down the cricketing fraternity.

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On Saturday, reports suggested that Delhi Capitals (DC) left-arm spinner Axar Patel, and Royal Challengers Bangalore left-hand batsman Devdutt Padikkal, along with members of the ground staff at Wankhede Stadium tested positive for the virus.

Padikkal is currently undergoing quarantine and is running slim on the chance to appear for the inaugural game of the edition against Mumbai Indians (MI).

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) suffered a scare on Saturday when one of their personnel was tested positive for the dreaded virus. However, it is confirmed that none of the CSK players or the support staff were affected, according to The Times of India.

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During the previous edition of IPL, two CSK players were tested COVID-19 positive ahead of the tournament in UAE. No players or support staff have breached the protocol, says the source.

BCCI has admitted that the next two months might call for more “stringent and urgent steps” to keep the tournament any more affected or disturbed. Mumbai currently has five out of the eight IPL teams – Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings, Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals.