Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) opening batsman Devdutt Padikkal has tested positive for Covid-19, the franchise has confirmed in a statement.
“Royal Challengers Bangalore’s 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,” the statement added.
The left-hander had a terrific season last year as he had scored 473 runs from 15 matches, averaging 31.53 and scoring five half-centuries.
Later, he carried his form in the recent Vijay Hazare one-day tournament, amassing 737 runs at 147.4 (in seven matches) and was just behind Prithvi Shaw (827 runs in eight matches) in the list of run-getters.
After this, Padikkal is all set to miss RCB’s season opener against Mumbai Indians on April 9 in Chennai.