Sunrisers Hyderabad fast bowler T Natarajan on Wednesday tested positive for COVID-19 at a scheduled RT-PCR test in Dubai, where the second leg of the IPL is currently being played. While Natarajan has isolated himself, six other close contacts including two players have been placed in isolation.
Natarajan’s six close contacts have been identified as Vijay Shankar (Player), Vijay Kumar (Team Manager), Shyam Sundar J (Physiotherapist), Anjana Vannan (Doctor), Tushar Khedkar (Logistics Manager) and Periyasamy Ganesan (Net Bowler).
A statement by the IPL authorities said that the rest of the contingent including the close contacts had undergone RT-PCR tests at 5 AM local time this morning and the test reports were negative. As a result, tonight’s game between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals will go ahead at the Dubai International Stadium, Dubai, the statement said.
Natarajan testing positive for coronavirus has cast huge doubts on the future of the remainder of the IPL, which had to be called off earlier this year after COVID-19 cases spiralled out of control, causing huge devastation across India.