The Delhi Capitals’ pre-match training was cancelled after team physiotherapist Patrick Farhart’s COVID-19 test returned positive.
The Hindu understands that Farhart’s was the only positive test among the Capitals’ contingent during the mandatory pre-match day testing. While Farhart will be quarantined for at least five days, the whole squad has been put in isolation until further notice. Friday evening’s optional training session was called off.
The IPL authorities had done away with match-day testing for IPL 2022. However, the remaining members of the squad will go another round of testing ahead of the game. Should there be no further positive test, the match will go ahead as scheduled.
The IPL protocols for the season specify that the match will be postponed or cancelled only if a team is “unable to field a team on account of Covid for any match due to having less than 12 Players available - 11 in the playing XI (of which at least seven must be Indian) plus one substitute fielder.”
Chahar, Salam ruled out due to injuries
Chennai Super Kings all-rounder Deepak Chahar was on Friday ruled out of the IPL with a back injury. Chahar had also suffered a hamstring injury during the home series against the West Indies in February.
KKR pacer Rasikh Salam is also out the of the IPL with a lower back injury with young Delhi pacer Harshit Rana named as his replacement.
"Chennai Super Kings bowler Deepak Chahar has been ruled out of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 owing to a back injury," said the IPL in a statement.
"Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have signed fast bowler Harshit Rana as a replacement for pacer Rasikh Salam for the rest of the TATA IPL 2022 season. Salam, who played 2 games for KKR this season, has been ruled out owing to a lower back injury and will take no further part in the tournament.
"His replacement, Harshit Rana, from Delhi will join KKR at his base price of INR 20 Lakh."
On Farhart, a former physio of the Indian cricket team, the statement added: "Delhi Capitals physio Patrick Farhart has been tested positive for COVID-19. He is being closely monitored by the DC Medical Team at the moment." With cases gradually rising, COVID threat has increased during the two-month-long IPL.
Last year, the tournament had to be suspended at the peak of the second wave in May and was later completed in the UAE.
The BCCI is staging the premier T20 event in four stadiums across Maharashtra to minimise the COVID-19 threat. However, the play-offs are expected to be played outside the state.
The league games are being held in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Pune.
(With inputs from PTI)
