Last year's runners-up are in constant contact with players regarding the welfare of their families as case continue to rise across the country
Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting has revealed the franchise are in constant contact with players regarding the health of their families during the latest Covid-19 outbreak in India.
Ravichandran Ashwin has been permitted to leave the Capitals squad to support loved ones and is unlikely to return.
Australia trio Andrew Tye, Kane Richardson and Adam Zampa have all left the IPL bubble amid the rising number of infections across the country.
While players remain safe and the tournament continues to progress unaffected, Ponting has outlined how Capitals are trying to assist the squad.
📹 | Four games in, we bring you an exclusive interview with Head Coach @RickyPonting about everything DC 💙#YehHaiNayiDilli #IPL2021 #DCAllAccess @OctaFX @ITCGrandChola pic.twitter.com/Qwkf1Bghfp
— Delhi Capitals (Stay Home. Wear Double Masks😷) (@DelhiCapitals) April 24, 2021
"This IPL, probably more than any other, has become more about what's happening on the outside than what's happening here," he said in a video post via the DC Twitter account, released prior to the super over win over Sunrisers Hyderabad. "We right now are probably the safest people in the country being in the bubbles that we are in.
"Continuously, I'm asking the boys at breakfast every day how's everything going on the outside, how's family, is your family safe? Is family happy?
"And look I think that's a really important thing and we talk here at the Delhi Capitals about being one big family. It is really important.
"We are thinking about the extended family, not just us, but we've got to be talking about what's happening outside because it is quite grim."
He added: "Yes, it is hard for the players to be away from their families. I can't imagine, even if I put myself in this situation, guys that live in Chennai are actually home now, but can't see their families. It must be incredibly difficult.
"So the more we can share these experiences, the better off we are. The people that aren't from India, we can be talking to the locals about what they are going through."
Our coverage of the IPL is brought to you in association with Dafabet India. For more on Dafabet and to place a bet, click here