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Xtra Time Web Desk: Royal Challengers Bangalore suffered a huge blow with days ahead of their IPL 2021 season opener against reigning champions Mumbai Indians. RCB’s promising youngster Devdutt Padikkal became the third cricketer in IPL 2021 to test positive for COVID-19. The 20 year old Padikkal joins KKR’s Nitish Rana and Delhi Capitals’ Axar Patel.

The talented batsman from Karanataka has been in red-hot form in the recently concluded Vijay Hazare Trophy and emerged as the second-highest run-scorer, amassing 737 runs from seven matches at an average of 147.40.

It will be concerning for the franchise as Padikkal was definitely thought about as an opener for the season ahead.

Meanwhile, Nitish Rana, who plays for Kolkata Knight Riders resumed practice with the others after returning negative on Saturday. 

This is not the first time teams have been rocked by the novel virus even before the first ball of the tournament has been bowled. Three-time winners Chennai Super Kings had found themselves in a similar situation in the last tournament in UAE. 

In addition ten groundstaffs at the Wankhede Stadium have also tested positive for COVID-19, the venue for the second match of the season between Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings.