IPL 2021: Possible reason for KKR players testing positive for COVID-19

The 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been hit by COVID-19 despite the players being in a strict bio-bubble. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) camp has been affected with Sandeep Warrier and Varun Chakravarthy testing positive for the virus. BCCI confirmed that they were found to be positive in the third round of testing in last four days.

Meanwhile, many are baffled as to how the virus entered the bubble when strict protocols were being followed. KKR last played a game against Delhi Capitals on April 29 and it remains to be seen if the Delhi franchise players will also be tested now. Varun Chakravarthy played in that game and must have interacted with the players which has now become a post-match ritual.

In the meantime, according to a report in ESPNCricinfo, Varun Chakravarthy went out of the bio-bubble to get his shoulder scans done in a hospital. It is being speculated that he might have picked the virus from there. However, there is no confirmation from the BCCI regarding the same.

Rest of KKR camp tested negative

Meanwhile, BCCI has confirmed that the rest of the KKR camp has been tested negative. However, the team has now moved to daily testing routine while the medical team is tracing the close contacts of the infected players. “Both the players have isolated themselves from the rest of the squad. The Medical Team is in continuous touch with the duo and are monitoring their health.

“Meanwhile, the Kolkata Knight Riders have now moved towards a daily testing routine to identify any other possible cases and treat them at the earliest. The Medical Team is also determining the close and casual contacts of the two positive cases during the 48 hours prior to collection of the sample that returned the positive test results.

“The BCCI and the Kolkata Knight Riders prioritise the health and safety of everyone involved and all measures are being taken in that endeavour,” the BCCI Press Release read.