'We are worried but there is no need to panic' - BCCI official on COVID scare in IPL

The Indian Premier League (IPL) in UAE was hit by a COVID scare just four days into the tournament as T Natarajan tested positive hours before Sunrisers Hyderabad’s match against Delhi Capitals. The development came as a massive blow to BCCI as the board had taken several stringent measures to prevent any COVID-19 case. A top BCCI official said the board is concerned about Natarajan testing positive but there is no need to panic. BCCI is confident that no more cases will arise during the tournament.

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"Don't know how it happened. Players are under strict bio-bubble. We have told them to be more cautious now. We just hope no more cases come and disturb the proceeding (IPL). Yes, we are worried but there is no need to press the panic button right now. Let's hope for the best. We are getting all the support in the UAE (related to COVID). They, too, are keeping a close watch on everything," a senior BCCI official was quoted by onmanorama.

The UAE government has allowed a limited number of spectators in the stadium for the IPL. When asked if that was the right move given the situation, the official said the crowd has nothing to do with Natarajan testing positive as he has been in the bubble since his arrival in UAE.

"SRH played their first match yesterday. And Natarajan tested positive before that, so the entire team was under a strict bubble,” said the official

The 30-year-old pacer along with six close contacts, including Vijay Shankar, team manager Vijay Kumar, physiotherapist Shyam Sundar J, Dr. Anjana Vannan, logistics manager Tushar Khedkar and net bowler Periyasamy Ganesan were put into isolation.

This was the very same reason that brought IPL 2021 to a halt in May after a series of COVID-19 cases inside the bubble. Recently, England vs India fifth Test in Manchester was cancelled after India coach Ravi Shastri and several members of the support staff returned positive results.