Ricky Ponting's family member test positive for Covid-19, head coach goes under isolation

According to an official statement by the Delhi franchise, a family member of the head coach Ricky Ponting has been tested positive for Covid-19. The family has now been told to remain in an isolation facility. The condition of all the family members is currently being closely monitored by the franchise.

Add to that, the Delhi's management has also advised Ricky Ponting to go under isolation as he has also been a close contact with his family member. The decision has been taken in the best interest of the team, and, therefore, he won’t be available in the dugout in tonight’s game between Delhi and Rajasthan.

Having said that, Ricky Ponting himself has tested negative for Covid twice subsequently. The franchise is taking complete care of all the members, who have tested positive, and are currently in self-isolation.

Now that Ricky Ponting will remain in isolation, the onus for making the backroom strategies will be on the shoulders of other support staff members such as Ajit Agarkar, Pravin Amre, James Hopes and Shane Watson.
Delhi are scheduled to play their seventh match against Rajasthan on Friday at Wankhede Cricket Stadium.

Earlier, two players such as Mitchell Marsh and Tim Seifert had tested positive for the virus. Both are currently in isolation and their progress has been monitored by the franchise. Apart from the duo, four other members, namely Physio Patrick Farhart, sports massage therapist Chetan Kumar, team doctor Abhijit Salvi and social media content team member Akash Mane also returned with positive tests.

However, despite the Covid-19 outbreak, the 32nd match between Delhi and Punjab took place as per the schedule. Though, the match took place in Mumbai, which was earlier scheduled to be played in Pune. The upcoming match between Rajasthan and Delhi also had a change of venue from MCA stadium in Pune to Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

"The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday announced a change of venue for Match No. 34 Delhi Capital versus Rajasthan Royals from MCA Stadium, Pune to Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai scheduled on April 22, 2022.

"The decision on the change of venue was made as a precautionary measure after Delhi Capitals registered the 6th COVID case with New Zealand wicketkeeper Mr Tim Seifert returning positive in today's RT-PCR testing," BCCI added.