India all-rounder Krunal Pandya, who is part of the ongoing T20I series against Sri Lanka, has tested positive for COVID-19. As a result, the second T20I, which was to be played at Premadasa Stadium in Colombo tonight, has been postponed to Wednesday.
India lead the three-match series 1-0, having won the first T20I by 38 runs. Krunal Pandya took 1 for 16 in his two overs in the match.
"Following the Rapid Antigen Tests conducted ahead of the match on Tuesday morning, Team India all-rounder Krunal Pandya was found to be positive. The Medical Teams have identified eight members as close contacts," BCCI secretary Jay Shah said in a statement. "The entire contingent is undergoing RT-PCR tests today to ascertain any further outbreak in the squad.
"The reports 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," Shah added.
Eight Indian players, including Prithvi Shaw and Suryakumar Yadav, who were in proximity of Krunal Pandya, have, reportedly, been isolated. If the duo test positive, then they may miss the series against England. They were being flown in as reinforcements after Shubman Gill, Avesh Khan and Washington Sundar were ruled out due to injuries in England.
Both Indian and Sri Lankan teams are in a bio-bubble. It is yet unclear how Krunal, who has been a part of the strict bio-bubble for the past one month, contracted the virus
Earlier, the ODI series between India and Sri Lanka was deferred due to COVID-19 cases in the home team's camp. Sri Lanka's batting coach Grant Flower and data analyst G.T. Niroshan had tested positive for the virus upon their return from England tour.
The third and final T20 is scheduled to be held on Thursday.
