IPL 2022: Ricky Ponting to miss today’s game as a family member tests positive

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The Indian Express understands that though Ponting was negative, it was his proximity to the family that resulted in him going into a short quarantine.

“Ponting himself has tested negative twice subsequently. However, in the best interest of the team, the management and medical team has decided that he will remain in isolation for five days, as he was a close contact,” the Delhi Capitals said in the statement.

“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,” it added.

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.”

With Ponting out, DC support staff Pravin Amre, Ajit Agarkar, James Hopes and Shane Watson will now handle backroom strategies for the game against Rajasthan Royals.

This comes after a couple of DC foreign players – Tim Seifert and Mitchell Marsh – and four of their support staff members had tested positive.

It was because of this that the Indian cricket board has been conducting a series of tests – four on Thursday and two on Friday- on the Delhi Capitals team members.

Earlier, the positive tests had resulted in a change of schedule and venue. The Delhi Capitals-Punjab Kings match that was earlier scheduled to be played at Pune’s Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium was moved to Brabourne Stadium on Tuesday. This was done to avoid any further transmission of the virus due to any undetected case during a long-distance bus journey in a closed environment.

“The change of venue has been triggered due to (then) five COVID-19 positive cases in the Delhi Capitals contingent,” BCCI said in a statement on Tuesday.