Overseas player among 3 COVID+ in Delhi Capitals

A foreign player in the Delhi Capitals team has been infected with coronavirus, taking the total number of COVID-19 positive cases in the franchise to three.

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) sources confirmed that physio Patrick Farhart and the team masseur had tested positive last week, while the player’s test results returned positive on Monday. The entire team is awaiting its RT-PCR test results currently.

The developments have forced the franchise to delay its travel to Pune for its next IPL match against Punjab Kings on Wednesday. It is understood that an Australian all-rounder showed some symptoms and a rapid antigen test was performed which came positive. 

“DC were supposed to travel to Pune today but the entire squad members have been told to retire to their respective rooms and as per protocol RT PCR is being done to ascertain whether there is an outbreak in the camp or it is an isolated case like Patrick Farhart,” a BCCI source said.

It is understood another member of the support staff has also shown symptoms but RT-PCR results are awaited.

“All teams are staying at Conrad Hotel in Pune where BCCI has created a bio-bubble. They were supposed to travel but now it has been delayed. Obviously all those whose results would be negative would carry on with onward journey tomorrow,” the source said.

The development comes after team physio Farhart tested positive last week. “We were supposed to leave today but have been told to stay in room until further notice,” said a team source.

With COVID cases rising outside the IPL bio-bubble, the virus threat inside the protected environment has also increased.