New Delhi/ Mumbai | Jagran Sports Desk: Just hours before his side much-awaited clash with the Punjab Kings (PBKS), Delhi Capitals (DC) wicket-keeper batsman Tim Seifert tested positive for the highly contagious COVID-19 infection. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has clarified that the 32nd game of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 will go as per the schedule.
"The entire Delhi Capitals contingent underwent 2 rounds of COVID testing today. Match No. 32 involving Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings scheduled today at Brabourne – CCI will go ahead as per the schedule after the second round of COVID tests returned negative today," it said in a release.
As per the IPL regulations, a minimum of 12 players including seven Indians are needed for the game to go ahead in case of a COVID outbreak. There is also an option to reschedule the game if the minimum player requirement is not met.
Earlier, five COVID-19 cases were reported in Delhi Capitals camp, including all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, who was later admitted to a hospital. Besides Marsh, physio Patrick Farhart, sports massage therapist Chetan Kumar, team doctor Abhijit Salvi and social media content team member Akash Mane were found infected with the virus.
"Delhi Capitals all-rounder Mitchell Marsh has tested positive for COVID-19, following which he has been admitted to a hospital. The Delhi Capitals medical team is closely monitoring Marsh’s condition," the IPL franchise had said in a release.
Later on Tuesday, the BCCI had shifted the match between the Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings to Mumbai from Pune. In a statement, the board said the game has been moved to the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai to ensure no COVID infection goes undetected in the bio-bubble.
"The Board of Control for Cricket in India on Tuesday announced a change of venue for Match No. 32 – Delhi Capital versus Punjab Kings from MCA Stadium, Pune to Brabourne – CCI scheduled on April 20th, 2022, to avoid any further incident due to any undetected case during a long-distance bus journey in a closed environment," said the BCCI in a statement.
"The COVID positive cases are under isolation and medical observation. They will be tested on Day 6 and 7 and subject to both the tests being negative they will be re-integrated into the Delhi Capitals bio-secured bubble."
"From April 16th onwards, the entire Delhi Capitals contingent has been put under a daily RT-PCR testing procedure. The 4th round of RT-PCR tests conducted on April 19th have returned negative," it added.
