The Indian Premier League (IPL) team, Delhi Capitals (DC) have cancelled their scheduled trip to Pune ahead of their upcoming game due to a Covid outbreak scare. They will be quarantined in their rooms today and tomorrow, with door-to-door Covid-19 tests scheduled.
Patrick Farhart, the team’s physio, had previously been isolated after testing positive. Another player, it is believed, has now tested positive on the Rapid Antigen Test and will be subjected to additional RT-PCR testing to confirm the result.
As per reports, an overseas player of DC has tested positive for Covid-19, forcing the team to postpone its trip. It is believed that an Australian all-rounder displayed symptoms and that a Rapid Antigen Test resulted in a positive result.
If the number of cases grows then it might have an impact on the current flow of the IPL and may also tamper with the teams and the board in terms of business. A break in the middle of the IPL can result in significant losses, primarily in gate revenue and viewership. Furthermore, this can have an impact on sponsors as well.
Last season, due to the second wave, the tournament had to be suspended midway before it could be completed in the UAE in September-October.
The Rishabh Pant-led team are scheduled to take on Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Pune on April 20 but now their next steps are being discussed with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).