Delhi Capitals' Anrich Nortje tests positive for COVID-19 - Reports

Delhi Capitals have been dealt with a massive blow as their premier fast bowler Anrich Nortje has tested positive for COVID-19, according to the reports. Nortje and Kagiso Rabada missed the team’s first game against CSK as they were serving their mandatory quarantine but were expected to feature in their next game against Rajasthan Royals. As per Sportskeeda, Nortje tested positive while undergoing quarantine.

"He came in with a negative report, but has unfortunately tested positive now while undergoing quarantine."

Anrich Nortje has been tested positive for COVID19 while he was in quarantine. An official confirmation still awaits from the Delhi Capitals.

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 14, 2021

According to the BCCI SOPs, any player who tests positive for Coronavirus will have to isolate himself for a minimum of 10 days. This means that Nortje is certain to miss Delhi Capitals' upcoming games against Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians. Earlier, DC’s spinner Axar Patel along with KKR’s Nitish Rana and RCB’s Devdutt Padikkal also tested positive for the Coronavirus. While Rana recovered and played both of the KKR’s games so far, Padikkal is all set to make a comeback in RCB’s fixture against SRH today.

Nortje along with four other South Africans, namely Kagiso Rabada, Quinton de Kock, Lungi Ngidi and David Miller arrived in IPL after featuring in 2 ODIs of the home series against Pakistan. Nortje was on fire in the series and picked up 7 wickets in 2 games.

The South African was drafted into the Delhi side in IPL 2020 as a replacement to Chris Woakes and the pacer grabbed the opportunity with both hands, picking up 22 wickets in 16 games at a strike rate of 16.63 and an economy of 8.39. Incidentally, his best figures of 3-33 came against Virat Kohli’s RCB.