Krunal Pandya tests positive for COVID-19; 2nd India-Sri Lanka T20I postponed

India vs Sri Lanka 2nd T20I postponed by a day as Krunal Pandya tested covid-19 positive.

Krunal Pandya found Covid positive right ahead of the 2nd T20I

Krunal Pandya has tested positive for COVID-19 hours before the start of the second T20 international between India and Sri Lanka. The Board of Control for Cricket India (BCCI) confirmed the development via Twitter on Tuesday. The Indian spinner complained of a sore throat on Monday morning, following which the medical team advised him to undergo an RT-PCR test.

"The reports (of today's tests) will come in the evening (around 6 pm) and if everyone is in the clear, we can have the match on Wednesday. Maximum among the eight close contacts who are also in mandatory isolation are players." Jay Shah, the BCCI secretary, was quoted as saying by PTI.

Eight other members of the Indian contingent who came in close contact with Pandya have been told to isolate themselves in their hotel rooms. Following Krunal Pandya’s positive result, the entire Indian contingent has undergone RT-PCR tests.

“The entire contingent is undergoing RT-PCR tests today to ascertain any further outbreak in the squad. Pandya's case was identified following the Rapid Antigen Tests conducted ahead of the match on Tuesday morning," BCCI press statement confirmed on Tuesday.

The second T20 international, which was supposed to be held on Tuesday has been postponed to Wednesday. There are currently no reports of positive results among the Sri Lanka cricketers. They will be tested on Wednesday morning.

Professor Arjuna de Silva, who overseas SLC's bubble protocol for international tours is still wondering how Krunal Pandya had contracted the virus as there had been no reports of the bio-bubble breach.

Team India has currently set their base in the Taj Samudra. No member including the hotel staff has been allowed to go outside the bubble. Interestingly, no one including any staff member has tested positive for the virus.

For the unversed, this is the second time when the ongoing limited over’s series between India and Sri Lanka has been postponed due to positive cases being reported inside the bio-bubble. Earlier, the ODI series which was scheduled to start on July 13, 2021 was pushed to July 18 after positive cases emerged in the Sri Lankan contingent.

Read More: India vs Sri Lanka, 1st T20I - Suryakumar’s 50, Bhuvneshwar’s 4-for seals it for India

Prithvi Shaw and Suryakumar Yadav in doubt Among the 8 players who have come in close contact with Krunal Pandya, Prithi Shaw and Suryakumar Yadav are two of the them. However, they both have been isolated for now but, question remains as they both were set to travel to England as replacement for the test series. If they found positive, it'll be interesting to see who travels on behalf of them.

What to expect from the second T20 International?

India have secured a 1-0 lead in the series after winning the first T20 international by 38 runs. Suryakumar Yadav starred with the bat for the Men in Blue. He amassed 50 runs off 34 balls. With the ball, Bhuvneshwar Kumar finished as the leading wicket-taker. He claimed 4 for 22 in 3.3 overs.

Given Shikhar Dhawan had stated they will be going with their strongest XI until they win the series, one shouldn’t expect any changes from the Men in Blue for the second T20 international. It will be a must-win game for Sri Lanka, who would look to make a comeback in the series.

Read More: IPL 2021 to resume with El Classico between CSK-MI on Sept 19