RCB's Daniel Sams tests positive for COVID-19, Padikkal recovers & joins squad

Chennai:Ahead of the IPL 2021, Royal Challengers Bangalore's Australian all-rounder Daniel Sams has tested positive for COVID-19, the franchise said on Wednesday.

According to a statement issued by RCB on its twitter handle, the 28-year-old all-rounder had arrived in Chennai on April 3 with a negative report, but has returned a positive result in subsequent testing made mandatory as per the IPL SOPs. This was the second test conducted in the team hotel.

'Sams is currently asymptomatic and he is currently in isolation at a designated medical facility,' the RCB said in a statement.

'Royal Challengers Bangalore medical team is in constant touch with Daniel Sams and continue to monitor his health and abide by the BCCI protocols,' it added.

Sams was traded to the RCB this season from Delhi Capitals. He became the second RCB player to test positive for the infection after left-handed opening batsman Padikkal.

Padikkal, however, came out negative in the latest round of testing. The 20-year-old had tested positive for the the dreaded infection on March 22 and was in isolation at his residence in Bengaluru.

"We are pleased to inform that Royal Challengers Bangalore, Left-handed Batsman Devdutt Paddikal, has joined the team on 7th April 2021 with negative reports for COVID-19 as per BCCI protocols.

RCB medical team was in constant touch with Devdutt to ensure his safety and well-being," said RCB in a statement.He was RCB's highest scorer last season with 473 runs from 15 matches.

"As per BCCI and IPL protocol, I had to quarantine at home for two weeks. Now I have joined the camp after two negative tests, and I am feeling completely fine now, and I just can't wait to get back out there and join the RCB camp," Padikkal said in a video posted by RCB on Twitter.

RCB will take on defending champions Mumbai Indians in the tournament-opener on Friday.(UNI)