'She saw me on a video call and knew it was COVID' - KKR pacer Sandeep Warrier credits wife for helping him beat the virus

The 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League was suspended midway after several players and staff members contracted the COVID-19 virus. Notably, the gala tournament was being played inside a bio-secure bubble due to the pandemic. However, the deadly disease managed to breach the bubble and infected many players. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) fast bowler Sandeep Warrier also contracted the virus during the tournament and, in an interaction, he opened up about his experience.

Warrier revealed that he underwent a regular RT-PCR test on May 2 and returned negative. However, the fast bowler took another test after complaining of fever and this time, he came positive. The 30-year-old also mentioned that his wife, Aarthi, who’s a doctor, also had COVID before. Hence, over a video call, she told him that the fast bowler had contracted the virus even before the reports came out.

My wife knew that I had COVID: Sandeep Warrier

“I have no idea how it started. On May 2, we had an RT-PCR test. That morning itself, I was not feeling well. So I quarantined myself after informing KKR. That test came negative for me, I guess it came positive for Varun Chakravarthy. He was quarantined on another floor. Since I was negative I thought it will be just a normal viral fever,” Warrier told News18.

“But since Varun came positive, we took another test, and I turned positive. By then, I had realised it was COVID because my wife (Aarthi) is a doctor. She told me you have covid, and the next test result will be positive for sure. She had covid six-seven months back. She had the same symptoms. She saw me on a video call and knew it was covid. I informed that to the team doctor. The next test was positive, and they took me to the non-bubble floor,” he added.

Notably, Warrier’s wife runs a COVID center and has helped many patients to recover from the deadly virus. Hence, she’s well equipped with all the information, and this helped Warrier to overcome the disease. The fast bowler admitted being a doctor’s husband was advantageous as his wife was providing him necessary instructions alongside motivating him. Warrier was also revealed that Aarthi was in regular contact with the KKR doctor, which helped him a lot to recover.

“The main advantage was that since she also had covid, and her hospital is also a covid center, so she had communication with so many covid patients. She was well equipped with all information. She was in regular contact with the KKR doctor also. It helped me a lot. She was the one who told me I am having covid for sure, you have to accept it and recover. So before my results came, I was ready for it. She was in Ahmedabad at that time, she had joined the bubble and was quarantining. She was taking care of me,” he asserted.

Meanwhile, Warrier has been a consistent performer in the Indian domestic circuit in the last few years. He was also one of the standby players during India’s home Test series against England earlier this year. Although he hasn’t been in India’s squad for the ICC World Test Championship final and following Test series against England, the fast bowler would be determined to continue his impressive form when the domestic season resumes.

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