Devdutt Padikkal has tested positive for the coronavirus and he could reportedly miss the first two games for Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2021.
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The coronavirus pandemic continues to cast a cloud on IPL 2021. After Axar Patel and Nitish Rana, Devdutt Padikkal has now tested positive for COVID-19. Padikkal, who made a big impact for Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2020, could miss the first two games for Virat Kohli’s team. Royal Challengers Bangalore will start the IPL 2021 campaign against five-time champions Mumbai Indians on April 9 in Chennai.
According to one official from BCCI speaking with Times of India, Padikkal will be in observation for 48 hours. Franchises and the BCCI have stressed that the bio-bubble protocols must be followed strictly. Padikkal was the leading run-scorer for Royal Challengers Bangalore, scoring 473 runs in 15 matches with five fifties. Padikkal hit 609 runs in his debut Vijay Hazare season and he continued to impress in the Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament.
Saturday witnessed the deadliest spike in the coronavirus pandemic in India. There were close to 93000 cases and 500 deaths. Maharashtra continues to be the hotbed for the coronavirus, with close to 50,000 cases. Mumbai is witnessing 8000 to 9000 cases everyday.
The uncertainty of IPL games in Mumbai has seen the BCCI swing into action. Hyderabad is the back-up venue in case Maharashtra heads into lockdown. Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings are based in Mumbai. Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians are in Chennai. With the situation not changing in 2021, BCCI will be worried about the current situation.
