In some worrying news, Shalini – a physical trainer for one of the three teams taking part in the upcoming IPL Women’s T20 Challenge has tested positive for COVID-19. The Indian contingent in the WIPL, players, and staff included, were in quarantine at a bio-secure bubble in Mumbai.
Three rounds of testing spanning five days were conducted, during which only two members of the contingent tested positive. However, this wouldn’t be much of a concern as they had limited contact with people, being inside the bio-secure bubble throughout their stay in Mumbai.
While Shalini was deemed COVID-positive in the first test, a member of the playing contingent, Mansi Joshi, tested positive in one of the earlier COVID tests. Joshi was ruled out of the tournament, and along with Shalini, will observe isolation procedures. The players at a hotel in Mumbai, having arrived from different parts of the country, and are scheduled to fly out to the United Arab Emirates on the 21st of October.
During their stay at the hotel, the women’s contingent maintained isolation from the outside world, and tests were collected from their doorsteps. The first test was conducted on 14th October, soon after their arrival. The last test, according to reports, took place this Monday on October 19th. While Mansi Joshi tested positive in one of the first 2 tests, Shalini reportedly was deemed COVID-positive on Monday’s test. The duo will unfortunately not be able to make the trip to UAE, along with the others.
The third edition of Women’s IPL will see a repeat of last year’s tournament. Three teams – Supernovas, Velocity, and Trailblazers, will face off against each other in a total of 3 group stage matches, followed by the Finals. WIPL kicks off on 4th November, and we will bear witness to 5 days of world-class cricket. The teams will be led by world-beaters themselves – 2-time champions, Supernovas, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, Mithali Raj will lead last year’s finalists, Velocity and Smriti Mandhana will lead the charge for Trailblazers.
Having been tested thrice already, the girls will just need to go through a 6-day quarantine in UAE, before resuming practice in the build-up to the much-awaited tournament.
This year’s WIPL will see first-time representation from South Africa and Thailand, and also a world-class player from across the world, including T20I’s No. 1 bowler, Sophie Ecclestone. South Africa will see representation in the form of Suné Luus and Ayabonga Khaka.
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