Two Bengal Ranji Trophy cricketers test positive for coronavirus

The sporting scenario across the country has suffered a severe blow since the past few months. In the wake of Covid-19 pandemic, fans haven’t witnessed any major sporting event in the country.

The number of positive cases in the country is notching up with every passing day and the BCCI is unlikely to stage any domestic competitions this season. The Indian cricket board has been able to shift the much-awaited IPL 2020 to the UAE. But the possibility of witnessing a full-fledged domestic season amid the pandemic is currently bleak.

Meanwhile, two Ranji Trophy cricketers– Mukesh Kumar and Shreyan Chakraborty– tested positive for coronavirus after the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) conducted a Covid-19 camp on Wednesday. During the camp, as many as 63 people, including 21 senior men’s team cricketers and 16 women cricketers, were tested for the novel virus.

63 people were tested by CAB under strict Covid-19 protocols

According to the CAB, the camp was hosted after obtaining the NOC from all relevant departments. Moreover, all government-approved SOPs during the event. The entire process was conducted under the supervision of Naresh Ojha, the CAB vice-president, who has also been made chairperson of the Covid-19 Task Force at the association. The iconic Eden Gardens was even turned into a quarantine centre for Kolkata Police personnel in July.

“The CAB organised a Corona test on 63 persons who will be directly and indirectly involved as the association gets ready to begin it’s staggered gym sessions at the indoor facility within the Eden Gardens premises,” said CAB President Avishek Dalmiya as quoted by The Indian Express.

The association also released a statement about Chakraborty and Kumar testing positive for the virus. “The Cricket Association of Bengal [CAB] today held a Covid-19 Test Camp where 63 persons, including 21 senior Bengal cricketers and 16 women cricketers, were tested maintaining strict Covid protocols. Incidentally, Shreyan Chakraborty and Mukesh Kumar tested positive during the drive,” the statement revealed.

“Today we tested 63 people that included 37 cricketers, other than the coaching team, physios, housekeeping boys, security staff and Dr Ujjal Banerjee, who is also a grade one umpire. He has been appointed as a doctor for the camp,” it further read.