New Delhi: Cricketer Krunal Pandya had tested positive for Covid-19 during India’s white ball tour of Sri Lanka last month. It has raised questions about BCCI’s medical officer on tour as he delayed the RT-PCR test by a day. After Krunal Pandya tested positive, eight other players missed out on two T20I games as they had come in contact with him.
It has now emerged that Krunal, after sensing symptoms like throat pain, had immediately red-flagged doctor Abhijit Salvi, July 26. However, neither was a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) done right away nor was the player immediately isolated. In fact, despite throat pain, the team doctor allowed the player to attend the team meeting. The RT-PCR test was finally done on the morning of July 27. The reports came late in afternoon. Then the BCCI and SLC decided to jointly postpone the game by a day as eight of his close contacts were also tested.
Initially all of the eight contacts tested negative. However, later before the team left Sri Lanka, Krishnappa Gowtham and Yuzvendra Chahal also tested positive.
Also read: T20I series against Sri Lanka on, all 8 close contacts of virus-hit Krunal Pandya test negative
“Krunal had throat pain July 26 and he followed the protocol informing the medical officer. It is strange that he was not immediately isolated. Also a Rapid Antigen Test (self test kit) should have been done immediately. But nothing of that sort happened,” a BCCI source privy to developments in Sri Lanka, said Friday.
“Although the Rapid Antigen Test is not conclusive but it’s the first part of protocol. It was not done, but I can confirm, Krunal despite throat pain attended team meeting. In fact, another question that’s being raised is how come BCCI’s medical team in Sri Lanka agreed to testing every fifth day whereas in IPL, it is done every third day,” the source added.
“Thanks to BCCI secretary Jay Shah, who intervened and the crisis of a series cancellation was averted by isolating all close contacts. His move saved the series and also helped the SLC. But had the medical team been pro-active, the situation could have been averted,” the BCCI insider said.
The man in question Salvi was contacted for his side of the story. “I will not make any comments,” Salvi said.
The T20 series defeat was primarily due to India only having four specialist batsmen with eight close contacts of Krunal being in mandatory isolation.
The trio of Krunal, Chahal and Gowtham returned home earlier this month.