SL vs IND: Krunal Pandya's eight close contacts test negative, can't take field in both T20Is

Sri Lanka and India were set to face each other for the second T20I on Tuesday, July 27. However, the match got postponed by a day after India all-rounder Krunal Pandya tested positive for COVID-19. This ruled him out of the series with seven days of isolation to be observed. Following this, the entire Indian contingent was supposed to undergo RT-PCR tests to avoid any further outbreak in the Indian squad.

The medical team had identified eight members to be in close contact with Krunal Pandya. However, as per reports, what comes as a sigh of relief is that the RT-PCR test conducted for those eight players returned negative for the Covid-19 virus, but these players can’t take the field in the remaining T20Is of the series as part of precautionary measures as per TOI.

Earlier in the day, BCCI had announced the rescheduled dates for the second and the third T20I. The second game has been pushed by a day whereas the final match of the series will be staged on July 29. “The second T20I between Sri Lanka and India originally scheduled to be played on July 27 has been pushed forward by a day and will now take place on Wednesday, July 28,” the statement from the BCCI read.

India has taken a 1-0 lead in the ongoing T20I series

After clinching the ODI series 2-1, India has taken the lead in the T20Is after they secured victory in the first T20I by 38 runs. The Covid positive test thus halted the further proceedings. Any member contracting the virus causes trouble to the entire team. The Indian team though has traveled with a 20-member strong squad plus four standby net bowlers. Team India is set to play with a depleted squad in remaining two games.

Amidst these difficult times, cricket is being carried out in strict bio-secure bubbles. The players are going through regular tests but because of the uncertainties of the virus, the camps have been hit by the virus more often than not. Last week, the second ODI between Australia and West Indies also got postponed after a member of the West Indies camp tested positive.