Praneeth Covid-19 positive, pulls out

New Delhi, Jan. 9: Top Indian shuttler B. Sai Praneeth, who won the

2019 World Championships bronze medal, on Sunday pulled out of the seasonopening India Open Super

500 tournament after testing positive for Covid-19.

“Yes, I have tested positive for Covid-19 in RT-PCR test. I had cold and cough since yesterday. I am isolating at home,” Praneeth said.

“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.”

Another Indian player, double specialist Dhruv Rawat, also tested positive for the virus ahead of his departure for the national capital to participate in the tournament starting on Tuesday.

Organised by the BAI, the

2022 edition of India Open will be held behind closed doors at the Indira Gandhi Stadium’s KD Jadhav Indoor Hall, with the governing body laying down strict COVID-19 protocols. ENGLAND TEAM WITHDRAWS TOO badminton contingent has withdrawn from the event after the country’s doubles specialist Sean Vendy and coach Nathan Robertson tested positive for the

Covid-19.

“Entire @BadmintonEnglnd team had withdrawn two days back and they are not here in India.

#YonexSunriseIndiaOpen2

022 is on track and all players who were tested at the hotel this morning as per protocol have come negative,” the BAI tweeted.

Vendy’s men’s doubles partner, Ben Lane, too confirmed the development with a Twitter post. SRIKANTH, SINDHU GET TOP BILLING Meanwhile, former champions Kidambi Srikanth and P.V. Sindhu have been given the top billing in the men’s and women’s sections, respectively, as the tournament returns after two-years hiatus.

Sindhu and World Championships bronze medallist Lakshya Sen were among the Indian players who have already arrived in the national capital. Kidambi Srikanth is likely to arrive late in the evening, while Saina will land on Monday.