IPL 2022: Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting to miss RR game after family member tests COVID positive

Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting will miss the team’s game against Rajasthan Royals on Friday (April 22). He will not travel with the side after one of his family members who was staying with him at the team hotel tested positive for COVID-19. The game was already shifted from MCA Stadium in Pune to Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai by BCCI a couple of days ago after multiple COVID cases were detected inside the DC camp.

The entire DC contingent including players and support staff along with their family members underwent COVID tests on Thursday (April 21) and Friday (April 22). Regular testing is being undertaken on the entire DC camp after as many as six members of their group including two overseas players – Tim Seifert and Mitchell Marsh – contracted the virus.

Ricky Ponting has tested negative twice but the fact that one of his family members has tested positive has forced him to go into short quarantine. This is only a precautionary measure to avoid any further spread of the virus. His entire family has been moved into a isolation facility while Ponting himself will be in quarantine for five days.

Delhi Capitals share official statement

Delhi Capitals have also shared an official statement regarding the matter and has requested to respect privacy of Ricky Ponting and his family during these tough times. The franchise also informed that all the positive members of the contingent are being closely monitored at the moment.

“A family member of Delhi Capitals Head Coach Ricky Ponting has tested positive for COVID. The family has now been moved into an isolation facility and is being well taken care of. Ponting himself has tested negative twice subsequently. However, in the best interest of the team, the management and medical team has decided that he will remain in isolation for five days, as he was a close contact.

“He will, therefore, not be present at the ground for tonight’s game against Rajasthan Royals. The franchise requests for Ponting and his family’s privacy to be respected in the current scenario. The condition of all individuals in the bubble who have tested positive so far is being closely monitored. The team looks forward to everyone’s speedy recovery,” the statement read.