IPL 2021: T Natarajan tests positive for COVID-19, no threat on DC vs SRH match

Sunrisers Hyderabad pacer T Natarajan has tested positive for COVID-19. Six close contacts, Vijay Shankar (Player), Vijay Kumar (Team Manager), Shyam Sundar J (Physiotherapist), Anjana Vannan (Dcotor), Tushar Khedkar (Logistics Manager), Periyasamy Ganesan (Net Bowler), have been identified and forced into isolation. However, since other members of the squad have returned negative results, tonight's match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals will go ahead as scheduled.

“The rest of the contingent including the close contacts underwent RT-PCR tests at 5AM local time this morning and the test reports are negative. As a result, tonight’s game between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals will go ahead at the Dubai International Stadium, Dubai,” the IPL Press Release read.

The news of Natarajan testing positive brought back memories of the chaotic situation in the first leg where a series of positive cases forced the BCCI to postpone the tournament. It is still not clear how Natarajan tested positive despite UAE’s stern bio bubble. The left pacer was set to make a comeback in today’s game, having missed out on the first leg due to an injury.

BCCI will hope that Natarajan's positive case is a rare incident as if there are many more cases, the fate of IPL could be put in jeopardy. Since there is no more window left to re-schedule the matches, BCCI would have no option but to call off the tournament which would be a huge setback.

The players are consistent testing positive in the bubble which is an area of concern. Recently, the fifth test between England and India was called off after Ravi Shatri and few members of India support staff tested positive, Earlier, Krunal Pandya had tested positive in Sri Lanka.