MUMBAI (Reuters) – Two players and 11 others tested positive for COVID-19 after arriving in the United Arab Emirates for the Indian Premier League (IPL), while flexible Suresh Raina withdrew from the tournament for non-public reasons.
This year’s IPL will be played in the United Arab Emirates from 19 September due to the pandemic in India, where there have been 3.46 million cases and 62,550 deaths from the virus.
The Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) said 1,988 tests were conducted between 20 and 28 August on and other UAE officials as a component of their fitness protocols.
“Thirteen members tested positive, two of whom are players,” the board said in a statement.
“All those affected and their close contacts are asymptomatic and have been removed from other team members. They are monitored through the IPL medical team.
“In accordance with IPL 2020 protection and fitness protocols, testing of all participants will be conducted throughout the IPL 2020 season.”
The board did not specify who the thirteen members represented in the thirteenth edition of the tournament, however, local media in India said they all belonged to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) camp.
The three-time IPL champion CSK also lost Raina, who is second, after Indian captain Virat Kohli, on the all-time list of the winners of the popular tournament.
“Suresh Raina has returned to India for non-public reasons and will not be available for the rest of the IPL season,” general manager Kasi Viswanathan said on the team’s Twitter account.
“Chennai Super Kings provides full help to Suresh and his circle of relatives this time.”
Raina, a left-handed and convenient drummer, withdrew from foreign cricket this month, minutes after his CSK captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, announced that he would no longer play for India.
Report through Sudipto Ganguly; Editing through Clarence Fernandez and Clare Fallon
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