Mumbai: Delhi Capitals, who have already been bogged down by multiple Covid-19 positive cases in their camp, will be without the service of their head coach Ricky Ponting for the clash against Rajasthan Royals on Friday after a family member staying with him at the team hotel tested positive.
The former Australia captain has tested negative for the virus but has isolated himself from the rest of the squad. The entire DC camp including players, support staff, and family members had undergone the Rapid Antigen Test on Thursday and Friday.
”A family member of Delhi Capitals Head Coach Ricky Ponting has tested positive for COVID. The family has now been moved into an isolation facility and is being well taken care of. Ponting himself has tested negative twice subsequently,” DC said in a statement.
“However, in the best interest of the team, the management and medical team have decided that he will remain in isolation for five days, as he was a close contact. He will, therefore not be present at the ground for tonight’s game against Rajasthan Royals. The franchise requests for Ponting and his family’s privacy to be respected in the current scenario. The condition of all individuals in the bubble who have tested positive so far is being closely monitored. The team looks forward to everyone’s speedy recovery,” the statement added.
DC have been hit by 7 COVID-19 cases so far. Earlier, two of DC’s foreign recruits Tim Seifert and Mitchell Marsh, and three of their support staff members and team’s physio Patrick Farhart had tested positive. “The change of venue has been triggered COVID-19 positive cases in the Delhi Capitals contingent,” BCCI said in a statement on Tuesday.
