"I actually didn't have any nets before this game"- PBKS star reveals he had tested positive for COVID-19 when IPL 2025 was paused

Punjab Kings (PBKS) all-rounder Marcus Stoinis has revealed that he had tested positive for COVID-19 when he was in Australia. The 35-year-old was one of the many Australian players who had returned home when IPL 2025 was paused earlier this month.

Stoinis missed PBKS' last match against Rajasthan Royals on Sunday, May 18. He returned to the playing XI for the match against Delhi Capitals (DC) in Jaipur on Saturday, May 24.

"I actually didn't have any nets before this game. Unfortunately, I had Covid-19 which we don't speak about much anymore. It was a nice welcome home. I rested at my home and then came back here," Stoinis said at the mid-innings break (via India Today).

Stoinis is the second Australian cricketer who tested positive for COVID-19 this season. SunRisers Hyderabad opening batter Travis Head also tested positive for the virus and missed the match against Lucknow Super Giants on Monday, May 19.

Marcus Stoinis shines on IPL 2025 return as PBKS reach 206/8 after 20 overs

With their place in the playoffs sealed, the Punjab Kings batters played with freedom against Delhi Capitals on Saturday. Captain Shreyas Iyer top scored with a 34-ball 53 and Marcus Stoinis provided the final flourish with an unbeaten 44 off 16 balls.

Stoinis said that it was a good pitch to bat on and expressed surprise over the DC bowlers not taking the pace off in the first innings.

"It's always difficult when you go out in the middle at the end and go one mode. It was really good for me there. I was surprised that they didn't bowl much slower balls as I was setting up quite early. That's probably something we could do. It's a really good surface," Stoinis said during the mid-innings break.

At the time of writing, DC were 155/4 after 15 overs with Tristan Stubbs and Sameer Rizvi at the crease.