After the ODI series against India got postponed due to the Coronavirus outbreak, South African cricket team stayed put in Lucknow for three days, taking all the necessary precautions.

However, it has now come to light that the Proteas players were in the same hotel where Indian singer Kanika Kapoor was staying after her return from London.

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It is pertinent to mention here that Kanika was tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday (March 20).

Quinton de Kock and company arrived in Lucknow after the series opener in Dharamsala was abandoned due to rain on March 12 and stayed there till March 16. On the other hand, Kanika stayed in that Lucknow’s five-star hotel between March 14 and 16.  

“There are reports that she dined in the hotel’s buffet and also attended several guests in the lobby. She was living there at a time when the South African team was staying in the hotel for the ODI match (against India), which eventually was called off. There is information that Kanika was seen briefly attending a news channel’s annual conclave held at the hotel. Therefore, it is important to scan the CCTV footage and list those who came in contact with her,” an officer engaged in surveillance quoted as saying by TOI.

Dr Narendra Agarwal, Lucknow’s chief medical officer, who also lodged an FIR against Kanika said: “She flouted instructions on home isolation despite being a potential case of Covid-19… Instead of staying at home, she went socialising. Now after having tested positive, she has now put everyone who came in contact with her at risk.”

BCCI and CSA have mutually agreed to reschedule the three-match ODI series. While Lucknow was due to host the second ODI on Sunday (March 15), the last game was slated to be held in Kolkata on Wednesday (March 18).

(With TOI inputs)