IPL 2021: Anrich Nortje joins Delhi Capitals bubble; franchise confirms earlier positive result was false

Delhi Capitals (DC) pacer Anrich Nortje has joined the team’s bio-bubble after their second match against the Rajasthan Royals (RR). It was earlier reported that the pacer had been tested positive for the virus but the franchise has now confirmed that it was a false result. Moreover, Nortje also tested negative thrice before joining the team bubble.

Nortje was one of the five South African cricketers who reached India late after playing the second ODI of the three-match series against Pakistan at home. Interestingly, Kagiso Rabada was with him on the same flight during their journey to India and he played for DC in the game against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Thursday in Mumbai.

The Delhi Capitals official Twitter handle confirmed the news of Anrich Nortje returning three negative tests before joining the team. In the tweet, they also stated that his earlier positive result was not correct.

Here’s the tweet:

He's here 💙

Our 🇿🇦 pace superstar is now out of quarantine. After a false positive result for COVID-19, Anrich Nortje tested negative thrice, and is now part of our team bubble.

We can't wait to see him in action 🔥#YehHaiNayiDilli #IPL2021 @AnrichNortje02 @TajMahalMumbai pic.twitter.com/8dGh2GlniK

— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) April 16, 2021

Who will Anrich Nortje replace?

Delhi Capitals are scheduled to play Punjab Kings in their third game on April 18 (Sunday) at the Wankhede stadium. Anrich Nortje is now expected to play this game unless he pulls up being rusty at the nets after being in quarantine for more than a week. However, the DC management will have a happy selection headache in order to make the South African pacer part of the XI.

As of now, it seems that Tom Curran will be sidelined from action despite faring decently as the other pacer Chris Woakes fared superbly in the two matches he played. Having said that, both Woakes and Curran might be dropped for the next game if the Capitals chose to go with an extra batsman.

They played only five specialist batters against the Royals and struggled after the top three got out within the powerplay overs. It will be interesting to see if they go with a similar strategy or they go back to their six batsmen theory while expecting Marcus Stoinis to perform the role of a sixth bowler.