Nitish Rana, the Kolkata Knight Riders batsman, has tested negative for coronavirus after returning a positive result on March 22. The franchise confirmed in a statement ahead of the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League.
Rana, who had self-isolated following his positive Covid-19 result, gave a negative test on Thursday. The 27-year-old will be starting training in the coming days, hoping to be fit and fine for KKR’s opening encounter in IPL 2021 on Sunday (April 11) in Chennai against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
Nitish Rana had checked into the KKR team hotel in Mumbai, on March 21, 2021 with a negative COVID report which was done on March 19, 2021,
said KKR in a media statement.
As per IPL protocol, he was tested on March 22, during his quarantine and the report showed that he was positive. He has had no symptoms and has been completely asymptomatic since. Again as per IPL protocol, he isolated himself and was tested again today.
We are glad to report that he has tested negative. We expect him to start training with the team shortly and be fully fit well before the start of the season.
According to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) designed by the BCCI for the safe conduct of IPL 2021 amid the coronavirus pandemic, a player who tests positive must isolate in the designated area outside the bio-secure environment for a minimum of 10 days. This period of 10 days begins from the first day of symptoms or the date of collection of the sample, resulting in a positive RT-PCR report, whichever is earlier.
During the 10-day isolation, the individual must rest and avoid any exercises. The team doctor should regularly monitor the case. If symptoms worsen during the course of isolation, the individual must be hospitalised immediately,
the SOP states.
During the 10-day isolation, the individual will undergo an RT-PCR test on Day 9 and Day 10. Provided, both the test results from Day 9 and Day 10 are negative, and he does not have any symptoms for more than 24 hours, the individual will be permitted to re-enter the bio-secure environment.
After recovery, players must undergo a cardiac screening before resuming any team activities.
Rana has been a vital cog in KKR’s wheels since joining the franchise. The attacking left-hand batsman scored 352 runs, including three half-centuries, from his 14 innings at a strike rate of 138.58 in the last year’s edition of the IPL in UAE.
KKR will also be taking on defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) in the first week of the IPL in Chennai on April 13. The two-time winners will be hoping for strong performances from the likes of Rana to reclaim the coveted IPL title.
