Daniel Sams news: RCB all-rounder tests positive for COVID-19 ahead of IPL 2021

Daniel Sams: The Australian all-rounder has become the second Royal Challengers Bangalore player to test positive for COVID-19.

Australia and Royal Challengers Bangalore all-rounder Daniel Sams has tested positive for COVID-19 to become the fourth player to contact the virus ahead of the 14th season of the Indian Premier League.

Following opening batsman Devdutt Padikkal (now recovered), Sams is the second RCB player to test positive. The development was shared by the franchise via an official statement posted on their Twitter account.

Sams, who made his IPL debut for Delhi Capitals in the last season, had been roped in as England batsman Jason Roy’s replacement. After remaining wicketless in the three IPL 2020 matches for Capitals, Sams was subsequently traded to Royal Challengers alongside Harshal Patel before IPL 2021 auction earlier this year.

Daniel Sams tests positive for COVID-19 ahead of IPL 2021

Sams, 28, had checked into the team hotel in Chennai on April 3. While he was tested COVID-19 negative upon arrival, he ended up testing positive on Wednesday morning. Currently asymptomatic, Sams has been isolated from the rest of the squad at a designated medical facility.

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

— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) April 7, 2021

Given his all-round skills, Sams was highly likely to be part of Bangalore’s Playing XI for their season opener against defending champions Mumbai Indians on April 9. Having said that, Royal Challengers do have the option of playing overseas all-rounders such as Kyle Jamieson and Daniel Christian in Chennai on Friday.

ALSO READ: Why will Adam Zampa miss IPL 2021 season opener?

Under captain Virat Kohli, RCB had qualified for the playoffs in the last season but failed to go past eventual runners-up in Capitals. To be even better prepared for this season, RCB ended up spending a maximum of INR 84.65 crore in the auction this year.

About the author

Dixit Bhargav

Born and brought up in Pathankot, Dixit Bhargav is an engineering and sports management graduate who works as a Cricket Editor at The SportsRush. Having written more than 10,000 articles across more than five years at TSR, his first cricketing memory dates back to 2002 when former India captain Sourav Ganguly had waved his jersey at the historic Lord’s balcony. What followed for an 8-year-old was an instant adulation for both Ganguly and the sport. The optimist in him is waiting for the day when Punjab Kings will win their maiden Indian Premier League title. When not watching cricket, he is mostly found in a cinema hall watching a Punjabi movie.

Read More