What happened to Tim Seifert: KKR player to remain in India after testing positive for COVID-19

Tim Seifert: The wicket-keeper batsman from Kolkata Knight Riders has become the latest IPL 2021 player to contact the virus.

New Zealand and Kolkata Knight Riders wicket-keeper batsman Tim Seifert has tested positive for COVID-19 in Ahmedabad to become the third player from the franchise to contact the virus.

Other than KKR’s Varun Chakravarthy and Sandeep Warrier, Sunrisers Hyderabad wicket-keeper batsman Wriddhiman Saha and Delhi Capitals spinner Amit Mishra had also tested positive for COVID-19 in the now postponed Indian Premier League 2021.

Seifert, who is said to be experiencing “moderate symptoms”, tested positive in both his pre-departure PCR tests despite returning seven negative tests in the last 10 days.

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“Once Seifert has undergone treatment and the statutory period of isolation and has tested negative for Covid-19, he will be transferred back to New Zealand where he will undergo the mandatory 14-day period of managed isolation,” New Zealand Cricket said in a statement.

Tim Seifert will receive treatment in Chennai

Set to be part of the New Zealand contingent alongside the likes of Stephen Fleming, Brendon McCullum, Kyle Mills, Shane Bond, Mike Hesson, Adam Milne, Scott Kuggeleijn and James Pamment, Seifert was expected to travel back home.

Having said that, the 26-year old player will now be shifted to Chennai where he will receive treatment at a private hospital. It is worth mentioning that former Australia batsman and current Chennai Super Kings batting coach Michael Hussey is also receiving treatment at the same facility as he was one of the four CSK support staff who had failed COVID-19 tests.

As far as the remaining New Zealand players are concerned, they have already left for Maldives before traveling to England on May 11 for a two-match Test series and the ICC World Test Championship final next month.

Seifert, who is yet to make his IPL debut, has been with the Knight Riders since IPL 2020 when he was roped in as a replacement for USA fast bowler Ali Khan.