NEW DELHI, April 4: Days before their opening encounter against defending champions Mumbai Indians in the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) opening batsman Devdutt Padikkal has tested positive for COVID-19.
“Royal Challengers Bangalore, Left-handed Batsman Devdutt Padikkal had tested positive on 22nd March 2021. He has been in mandatory quarantine at his residence in Bengaluru since then. He will be fit to join the RCB bio-bubble once his RT-PCR tests are negative,” RCB said in a statement.
“RCB Medical team is in touch with Devdutt ensuring his safety and well-being. Devdutt is feeling well and we can’t wait to have him join the squad for the IPL season ahead,” it added.
This comes as a big blow for RCB as they have time and again spoken about how integral he has become to the RCB unit after his performance in the 2020 edition in UAE.
This is the third case of a vital player testing positive for the virus after Delhi Capital’s all-rounder Axar Patel and Kolkata Knight Riders batsman Nitish Rana tested positive for COVID-19. (ANI)
