New Delhi, Apr 4: Royal Challengers Bangalore's young batsman Devdutt Padikkal is quarantining at his home since returning positive for COVID-19 during a test conducted on March 22, his IPL franchise said on Sunday.
The 14th edition of the lucrative league starts in Mumbai on April 9 with RCB taking on defending champions Mumbai Indians.
"Devdutt Padikkal tested positive for COVID-19 on 22nd March 2021. He has been in mandatory quarantine at his residence in Bengaluru since then. Devdutt will be fit to join the RCB bio-bubble once his RT-PCR tests are negative, as per IPL protocol," RCB said in a statement.
The franchise, which has never won the tournament, posted the statement on its Twitter handle.
"RCB Medical team is in touch with Devdutt ensuring his safety and well-being. He is feeling well and we can't wait to have him join the squad for IPL2021," the franchise wrote in another tweet.
The 20-year-old Padikkal was RCB's highest scorer last season with 473 runs from 15 matches. He has also been in tremendous form in the domestic circuit. He is only the second uncapped player in IPL's history to score more than 400 runs in debut season.
On Saturday, Delhi Capitals and India all-rounder Axar Patel had tested positive for the highly contagious virus and is set to miss the team's opener on April 10 due to quarantine protocols.
Official Statement: Devdutt Padikkal tested positive for COVID-19 on 22nd March 2021. He has been in mandatory quarantine at his residence in Bengaluru since then. Devdutt will be fit to join the RCB bio-bubble once his RT-PCR tests are negative, as per IPL protocol.
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) April 4, 2021
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Mumbai: YouTuber and podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia, known widely as BeerBiceps, voiced strong support for comedian Samay Raina, who was at the centre of the India's Got Latent (IGL) storm.
In a recent Instagram 'Ask Me Anything' session, Ranveer opened up about the fallout of the controversy and how it has reshaped his relationships and personal outlook. When asked by a netizen whether he was still in touch with Samay, Ranveer responded that their bond has strengthened after the events: "Samay will be back. All of us have gotten closer after the events. Stand by each other in good times as well as in bad times. My brother is (already) a media legend."
He also extended love to fellow creators Ashish Chanchlani and Apoorva Mukhija, writing: "God is watching over all of us. Just wanna say, love you @ashishchanchlani & @the.rebel.kid as well. Picture abhi baaki hai..."
Reflecting on the emotional and professional challenges he faced over the past two months, Ranveer revealed the toll the controversy took on him and his team. "That I let down the families of my team members because of my mistake," he said, when asked about his biggest fear during the ordeal.
“People don't understand how many jobs were at stake. Quickly wrote off my career and hence the careers of 300+ people. Learnt very deeply about human nature. Mobs love seeing people fall. But we will keep moving forward. I'm not 100% okay even now. Have to give it my all because MANY livelihoods depend on my work. Stay humble, stay hungry,” he added.
Ranveer further shared what he lost during the difficult time: "Lost health, money, opportunity, repute, mental health, peace, parents' contentment and much more." But he added that he also gained transformation, spiritual growth, and toughness.
Meanwhile, Ranveer, Samay, and Apoorva appeared before the Maharashtra cyber cell for the third time on April 15 to record their statements in the India's Got Latent case.