A return to professional cricket has been delayed for Bengal's Ranji Trophy team skipper Abhimanyu Easwaran. He has tested positive for COVID-19 in a mandatory test conducted by the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB).

The 25-year-old batsman was supposed to be playing for East Bengal in the inaugural Bengal T20 League starting on Tuesday, November 24. However, his positive result has now forced him to quarantine himself for the next two weeks.

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The joint-secretary of the CAB, Debabrata Das, has confirmed this news and also mentioned that he has been taken care of by the medical panel of CAB.

Das said in a medical statement, "He underwent a mandatory COVID-19 test and was found positive. He is however asymptotic. He is now quarantined and under the treatment of medical panel of CAB."

The Bengal T20 League will go on as scheduled while Easwaran may not be able to participate. The only chance of him being able to turn up for East Bengal is that if they qualify for the Final of the tournament, the 25-year-old can be back on the field after completing his two weeks in quarantine and testing negative for COVID-19.

It looks highly unlikely though because if a set team reaches the final game of the competition, they might be hesitant to bring in their premier longer-format player into a T20 side which might disrupt the momentum and balance of the side.

(With inputs from PTI)