Four Mumbai players, Sarfaraz Khan, Prashant Solanki, Shams Mulani and Sairaj Patil have tested positive for Covid-19.
The four cricketers were subsequently withdrawn from the Mumbai squad for Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and were sent back home. They were further advised to self-isolate for seven days. The selectors are yet to announce the replacement for the players.
"This is the reality of the times. We cannot avoid Covid even after taking the best possible measures. The mandatory RT-PCR test was done a day before and the players were told not to go to the airport if any one of them is positive. But they still went. On seeing the positive report, they were sent back from the airport," a Mumbai Cricket Association official said.
"The selectors have been informed and they will pick the replacements,” he added.
SMAT 2021-22 is scheduled to begin on November 4 and will be played in Lucknow, Baroda, Delhi, Vijayawada, Haryana and Guwahati. The players have to report a week before as they have to undergo a mandatory five-day pre-tournament quarantine.
The Mumbai team which will be led by Ajinkya Rahane is placed in the Elite B Group along with Karnataka, Bengal, Baroda, Chhattisgarh and Services.