Indian Shuttlers B. Sai Praneeth and Dhruv Rawat withdraw from the Indian Open after testing positive for COVID-19

The Indian Open 2022 is knocking on the door and some of the best shuttlers from all around the world will be looking to participate in this tournament. However, the problems surrounding COVID-19 has seen a lot of players withdraw from the tournament.

Two more such players who tested positive for the virus have withdrawn from the tournament. Indian shuttlers B Sai Praneeth and Dhruv Rawat tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. The RT-PCR report of both players came back positive before their departure to New Delhi.

Sai Praneeth who won the bronze medal at the World Championship in 2019 has confirmed that he has tested positive for the virus and will not be taking part in the tournament. “Yes, I have tested positive for COVID-19 in the RT-PCR test. I had a cold and cough since yesterday. I am isolating at home,” the Indian shuttler informed PTI.

Praneeth highlighted how he needs to wait for a week before testing again and considering this is a very important year for him, he is hopeful that he will return to the court very soon.

“I will have to wait for at least a week before testing again. It is an important year and there is hardly any time to regain fitness. I hope I can get back to court quickly,” he added. Ajay Singhania who is the General Secretary of the Badminton Association of India (BAI) also confirmed the shuttler’s withdrawal from the Super 500 tournament.

Doubles player Dhruv Rawat has also withdrawn from the tournament. The shuttler did not have any symptoms while boarding his flight for the capital. But later he tested positive. Both the shuttlers are isolating and will again get tested in one week. Sai Praneeth’s withdrawal from the tournament will weaken the Indian charge as he was one of the favourites to win the tournament along with Indian Shuttlers Srikanth Kidambi and HS Prannoy.

Earlier the entire English contingent have withdrawn from the tournament after the English pair of Ben Lane and Sean Vendy tested positive for COVID-19 and had to withdraw from the tournament. However, BAI has clearly mentioned that they have no intentions of cancelling or postponing the tournament despite all the withdrawals due to positive cases.