IPL 2021: KKR pacer Prasidh Krishna tests positive for coronavirus

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) suspended the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) earlier this week after a number of players and support staff tested positive for the novel coronavirus and there was a breach in the bio bubble set up by the Indian board. Though the league has been postponed, the threat of the Covid-19 is still present as daily one or the other player is returning positive for the virus.

It is learned that Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) speedster Prasidh Krishna has tested positive for the deadly virus. Krishna becomes the fourth Knight Riders player after Varun Chakravarthy, Sandeep Warrier, and Tim Seifert to test positive. Notable, the Covid-19 scare in IPL 2021 started with Varun and Sandeep testing positive on Monday.

In the same light, the match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders was also rescheduled. Speaking about the news of Krishna testing positive, a source in the know of developments asserted as quoted by Inside Sport, “He is down with COVID-19. The results have come in and he tested positive.”

Being down with Covid-19 can also act as a barrier for Krishna. The 25-year-old seamer has been included in India’s squad as a standby player for the final of the inaugural edition of the World Test Championship and five-match Test series against England. The pacer will have to regain his fitness by May 25 if he wishes to travel to England as the reports suggest that Team India will assemble in a bio bubble made by BCCI in India on May 25 and will fly to England after completing an eight-day quarantine period.

It’s really unfortunate for Tim and we’ll do everything for him that we can: New Zealand Cricket

Meanwhile, it was only on Friday that the news of KKR’s wicketkeeper-batsman Tim Seifert testing positive for Covid-19 surfaced in the cricket fraternity. New Zealand Cricket (NZC) chief executive David White opined on the health of Tim saying that NZC is in constant touch with the cricketer and his family and will do everything possible to ensure that he arrives in New Zealand safe and sound.

“It’s really unfortunate for Tim and we’ll do everything for him that we can from this end, and hopefully he will be able to test negative and be cleared and approved for discharge as soon as he’s well again.

“Since receiving the news, we’ve organized support for Tim and have also — via the players association, been in contact with his family to ensure they’re kept fully informed and updated on developments,” White added.

Watch the story behind IPL 2021 cancellation