IPL 2021: Covid Threat Returns To Tournament

The deadly Covid-19 virus has come back to haunt IPL 2021 yet again. This time Sunrisers Hyderabad pacer T Natarajan tested positive for the virus in a scheduled RT-PCR test. The 30-year-old has isolated himself from the rest of the SRH squad and is currently asymptomatic.

Six close contacts of Natarajan incuding his team-mate Vijay Shankar, net bowler Periyasamy Ganesan, Team Manager Vijay Kumar, Physiotherapist Shyam Sundar J, Doctor Anjana Vannan and Logistics Manager Tushar Khedkar also have been kept under isolation.

However, the game between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals went ahead as rest of the contingent tested negative in the RTPCR Test on Wednesday (September 22) morning. However, with this positive case, the threat of COVID19 will continue to hang over the tournament.

Earlier on May 4, IPL 2021 was postponed in India after some players tested positive for Covid-19 during the height of the second wave. If the number of cases starts to rise again, then cricket fans in India and across globe will be in for a major disappointment.

Published: Diptiranjita Patra

Last updated: 23 September 2021, 11:16 AM IST