IPL 2021: Daniel Sams joins RCB bio-bubble after testing negative for COVID-19

Royal Challengers Bangalore all-rounder Daniel Sams has joined the RCB’s squad after testing negative for coronavirus. The Australian cricketer tested positive for the virus before the start of the 14th season of the IPL. Bangalore had said that the all-rounder tested negative on his arrival at the team hotel in Chennai. Unlike Padikkal, Daniel Sams joined the RCB team in Chennai before being tested positive. 

According to the statement from the IPL franchise, the 28-year old all-rounder arrived in Chennai on April 3 and tested negative. However, his report from the second test on Wednesday returned positive. Royal Challengers Bangalore also stated that their all-rounder is not showing any symptoms and is currently in isolation. 

Daniel had a good outing last season in the Big Bash League

The left-arm pacer made his IPL debut in 2020 when he plied his trade for Delhi Capitals. But after three wicketless games for them, Delhi Capitals traded him to the RCB. Daniel had a good outing in the last season of the Big Bash League. The 28-year-old impressed everyone with both bat and ball. Playing for Sydney Thunder, he scored 200 runs at a superb strike rate of 188.67. With the ball, the pacer claimed 11 wickets. He also played a crucial 15-ball 41-run knock against New Zealand during the second match of the T20I series last month.

The Australian pacer is the second cricketer from the RCB squad who has recovered after contracting the virus. Earlier, opening batsman, Devdutt Padikkal joined the team after returning negative for coronavirus. BCCI's standard operating procedure (SOP) states that a player who tests positive for COVID-19 must isolate himself in the designated area outside the bio-secure environment. He should be in isolation for a minimum of 10 days from the first day of symptoms or the date of collection of the sample, which resulted in a positive RT-PCR report, whichever is earlier.

Virat Kohli-led RCB has won both their games so far this season. The team will now play against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Sunday at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

IPL 2021: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) full squad

Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Devdutt Padikkal, Adam Zampa, Finn Allen, Kane Richardson, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Azharuddeen, Navdeep Saini, Pavan Deshpande, Shahbaz Ahmed, Yuzvendra Chahal, Daniel Sams, Harshal Patel, Washington Sundar, Sachin Baby, Rajat Patidar, Kyle Jamieson, Dan Christian, Suyash Prabhudessai, KS Bharat.

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