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Varun-Sandeep
KKR bowlers Varun Chakravarthy and Sandeep Warrier have finally returned home after completing their mandatory isolation period. Although Varun has remained an integral part of the KKR line-up in this season, Sandeep Warrier did not feature in any of the games. The entire Kolkata team and the support staff had gone into isolation in their respective team hotel. Kolkata Knight Riders had suffered a Covid scare even before the tournament began. Opening batsman Nitish Rana had contracted the virus. According to reports, the KKR players who tested positive did not breach the bio bubble. But they had to go to the hospital to get some checks done, which is probably when they picked up the virus.
After reporting several cases in the bio bubble, the officials decided to postpone the tournament for the safety of the players and the staff involved. Despite mounting criticism in recent days, the competition had continued even as coronavirus cases increased across the country. However, a suspension was likely to happen as Covid cases kept on increasing despite the IPL bio-bubble.
Tim Seifert and pacer Prasidh Krishna had also tested positive
The Kolkata based franchise has been the worst-hit team since the virus first breached the bio-secure bubble. Apart from Varun Chakravarthy and Sandeep Warrier, New Zealand wicket-keeper batsman Tim Seifert and pacer Prasidh Krishna had also tested positive. The Kiwi player Tim Seifert is currently spending time in Chennai getting treated for the virus. On the other hand, Prasidh Krishna is currently isolating at his home in Bengaluru. Amid all this, many foreign players and Indian players, have reached home safely.
The Indian cricket board remains confident of hosting the second half of the IPL season outside India. The venues are yet to be decided by the officials. The board also remains optimistic about its chances of conducting the T20 World Cup later in India. This can only happen if the cases in the country decline. The BCCI has also announced a 20-man squad for the forthcoming World Test Championship and India tour of England. Virat Kohli-led India will face New Zealand to decide the first champion of the Test format. After the WTC, India will play five-match series against England on their home ground.