The BCCI suspended IPL 2021 indefinitely after a COVID-19 outbreak in the bio-secure bubble of the franchises. Initially, it seemed like the virus had only breached the bubble in Ahmedabad, but soon, a few members of the bubble in Delhi also tested positive.
On May 3, the organizers decided to reschedule the match between the Royal Challengers Bangalore and the Kolkata Knight Riders. Fans hoped the rest of the tournament would happen as per the original schedule.
However, on May 4, the BCCI had to postpone the competition because of cases in multiple teams. Unfortunately, quite a few players contracted the virus during the pre-season and the competition. Here's a list of those cricketers.
1. Devdutt Padikkal - Tested positive for COVID-19 before IPL 2021
All the players had to undergo a seven-day quarantine before entering the IPL's bio-secure bubble. The cricketers were tested regularly during the quarantine period.
A few players returned positive tests, and one of them was Royal Challengers Bangalore's Devdutt Padikkal.
The rising star rested at home for a few days and recovered quickly. He missed RCB's first match against the Mumbai Indians but was back with a bang. Padikkal recorded his maiden IPL ton versus the Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2021.
2. Axar Patel
Another player who tested positive for COVID-19 before IPL 2021 began was Axar Patel. The Delhi Capitals all-rounder starred in India's home Test series win against England. However, just before IPL 2021, his COVID test returned positive.
Patel took a bit longer to recover. He tested positive on April 3 and joined the Capitals squad on April 23. In his absence, the Delhi-based franchise had roped in Shams Mulani as a temporary replacement.
3. Anrich Nortje
South African fast bowler Anrich Nortje arrived late in India to play IPL 2021. He was busy playing for South Africa in the series against Pakistan. After coming to India, Nortje tested positive for COVID-19.
Luckily, it later proved to be a false positive. Nortje was given permission to come out of quarantine after three COVID-19 tests returned negative.
Unfortunately, Nortje still did not receive an opportunity to play for the Delhi Capitals because of the team combination.
4. Nitish Rana
Kolkata Knight Riders' opening batsman Nitish Rana tested positive for coronavirus on March 22. Rana was in isolation for ten days before returning a negative test conducted on April 2.
The southpaw joined the Knight Riders camp soon after and was available to play for them. Rana won the Man of the Match award in his first game of IPL 2021 after scoring 80 runs against the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
5. Daniel Sams
Australian all-rounder Daniel Sams made his IPL debut last year as a part of the Delhi Capitals team. The left-arm fast bowler moved to the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL 2021 trade window.
He tested negative upon his arrival in Chennai on April 3. However, four days later, his report came out positive.
Like other players who contracted the virus, Sams underwent a 10-day isolation period. He tested negative quickly and played two matches for RCB in IPL 2021.
6. Varun Chakravarthy
Kolkata Knight Riders spin bowler Varun Chakravarthy was one of the first players to have tested positive for COVID-19 after playing a match in IPL 2021. The Tamil Nadu-based player returned a positive COVID test before his team's game against the Royal Challengers Bangalore.
According to Cricbuzz, Varun went to a hospital for an abdominal issue. Apparently, he contracted the virus there, because of which the organizers had to call off the IPL 2021 match between KKR and RCB.
7. Sandeep Warrier
Kolkata Knight Riders fast bowler Sandeep Warrier tested positive for COVID-19 the same day as his teammate Varun Chakravarthy. While Varun was in the hospital for his injury issues, Warrier was in the bio-bubble.
Warrier, who has played for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the past, did not receive a chance to play for the Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2021. The Kerala-born pacer is currently in isolation.
8. Amit Mishra
Another player who tested positive for COVID-19 in the bio-bubble in Ahmedabad was Amit Mishra. The Indian leg-spinner performed brilliantly for the Delhi Capitals in their Chennai leg.
Mishra was on his way to becoming the highest wicket-taker in IPL history. Unfortunately, he hurt his shoulder, which compelled the Delhi Capitals to include Lalit Yadav in his place. A few days later, Mishra tested positive for COVID-19.
9. Wriddhiman Saha - The only player in the Delhi bio-bubble of IPL 2021 to test positive for COVID-19
Sunrisers Hyderabad had a forgettable IPL season this year. After an uneventful Chennai leg, the Orange Army traveled to Delhi to play their next fewgames in IPL 2021.
A few Chennai Super Kings staff members tested positive in Delhi, but SRH wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha was the first player to contract the virus in that bubble. After Saha and Mishra's tests returned positive, the BCCI soon made the official announcement to suspend IPL 2021.
According to reports, the board is planning to conduct the pending games in September. However, nothing is official as of now.
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