DURING a routine check-up, a couple of Vidarbha youngsters were found COVID positive while a few were running high fever. Taking no chances, Vidarbha Cricket Association has sent all the Under-14 and Under-16 players, who were part of the Residential Academy programme, back to their homes.

Confirming the development, VCA Chief Executive Officer Farokh Dastoor said, “Yes, a couple of boys were found COVID positive while some were having high temperature (but were not positive for the virus). As a precautionary measure we have sent all the boys back to their homes. There will be no further cricket activities for the youngsters for the time being.”

VCA is also undertaking drainage repair works at its Civil Lines ground where the Residential Academy is set up.

“Drainage work at VCA’s Civil Lines ground will start very soon and that would have also rendered the ground unusable for the players. It was also one the reasons that we decided to let the players go home and recuperate well staying under observation with their family members,” Dastoor added.

There have been sporadic cases of Vidarbha players testing positive for the dreaded virus and had to miss important BCCI-organised tournaments last season when domestic cricket resumed after a gap of two years.