The BCCI has decided to shift the Covid-hit Delhi Capitals’ match against Punjab Kings on Wednesday from Pune to the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai, subject to the Capitals players and support staff clearing RT-PCR tests on the morning of the game. In case the match cannot take place, it will be rescheduled.
The Capitals were also allowed to conduct a training session at the Bandra-Kurla Complex ground in Mumbai on Tuesday evening. This was after a fourth round of RT-PCR tests conducted on Tuesday morning on the entire contingent returned negative results. However, only the players and the coaches were allowed to participate in the session.
A BCCI media release stated that the decision to move the game out of Pune was “to avoid any further incident due to any undetected case during a long-distance bus journey in a closed environment”.
All-rounder Mitch Marsh tested positive for Covid-19 along with four other members of the support staff. It is learnt that Marsh was hospitalised as a precautionary measure. The others who tested positive have been moved to a separate facility outside the team hotel.
No decision has yet been taken on the Capitals’ next game, which is also scheduled in Pune, on Friday against Rajasthan Royals.
Strong on batters
Both Capitals and Punjab boast of powerful batting line-ups which could decide the outcome. David Warner, Prithvi Shaw and skipper Rishabh Pant form the Capitals’ batting mainstay; Punjab have power-hitters such as Shikhar Dhawan, Liam Livingstone and Shahrukh Khan.
Punjab captain Mayank Agarwal, who missed the game against Sunrisers Hyderabad owing to a toe injury, is expected to be available.