Covid count keeps rising at Indian Premier League | Cricket News

Now, RCB‘s Daniel Sams tests positive as start of event looms
BENGALURU: In another setback to the Indian Premier League (IPL), the tally of players testing positive for Covid-19 went up to four with Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Daniel Sams joining the list.
Earlier, Axar Patel of Delhi Capitals, RCB’s Devdutt Padikkal and KKR’s Nitish Rana too had tested positive. Padikkal, however, has now tested negative and joined the camp.

Australian all-rounder Sams arrived in Chennai on April 3 with a Covid-19 negative report, but tested positive during a subsequent test during the mandatory seven-day quarantine. Apart from four players, groundstaff and other workers at the Wankhede Stadium and Mumbai Indians talent scout Kiran More too have tested positive.
The IPL is preparing to navigate its way through six venues at a time when the country is reeling under the most severe wave of the pandemic yet.
According to a statement from the Bengaluru-based franchise, “Daniel Sams checked into the team hotel in Chennai on April 3rd with a negative Covid report on arrival. His report from the 2nd test on 7th April came positive. Sams is currently asymptomatic and he is currently in isolation at a designated medical facility. RCB medical team is in constant touch with Daniel Sams and continue to monitor his health and abide by the BCCI protocol.”

The 28-year-old joined RCB after being traded by Delhi Capitals. Sams last played competitive cricket on March 31, turning out for New South Wales in the Marsh Cup. Sams’ manager Bill Anderson was quoted in the Age as saying, “At the moment he’s feeling okay, I guess a bit lonely. But doing his best.”
Meanwhile, in some good news for the franchise, left-handed opener Padikkal, who tested positive on March 22 and was in home isolation in Bengaluru, joined the bio-bubble on Wednesday. “We are pleased to inform that Devdutt Paddikal has joined the team with a negative report for Covid-19 as per BCCI protocols. RCB medical team was in constant touch with Devdutt to ensure his safety and well-being,” said RCB in a statement.
Padikkal, in a video message on the franchise’s social media handle said, “I am feeling completely fine now, and I just can’t wait to get back out there and join the RCB camp.”

This will come as good news for RCB, who were waiting for skipper Kohli to come out of quarantine to discuss the team composition for the opener against MI on April 9.