Legendary cricketer MS Dhoni's parents have been hospitalized in Ranchi after they have tested positive for the COVID-19 viral infection. The development has come at a high time when the state of Jharkhand has been preparing to enter a fresh phase of the lockdown and when Dhoni is currently in the middle of the 14th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). 

According to reports, Dhoni's father Pan Singh and mother Devaki Devi had on Wednesday confirmed to have contracted the novel coronavirus after which they were rushed to the hospital for further treatment. They both are currently getting treated at Pulse Superspecialty Hospital in Ranchi and kept under continuous observation. 

The news of the hospitalization of the parents of the 39-year-old cricketer had drawn major attention from across the nation and it is still unclear whether Dhoni would take a break from the IPL and visit his parents in Ranchi. They had tested positive for the pandemic when Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings are preparing to take on Kolkata Knight Riders on Wednesday.

The hospital has asserted that Dhoni's parents are doing stable. In an official release concerning the health condition of Dhoni's parents, the hospital said, "Parents of cricketer MS Dhoni have been admitted here at the hospital after testing positive for COVID-19. Their oxygen level is stable." 

Dhoni was the former Indian cricket team captain who retired from the game last year after etching a history in the captaincy. He has currently been leading the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League. His team is playing its matches at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai and after the completion of two games, the side will move to Delhi for the next leg of the tournament. 

Jharkhand state government has on Tuesday announced the lockdown in the state from April 22 to April 29 to curb the spread of the pandemic amid the exponential rise of cases. The government has permitted the essential and emergency services to continue while it has banned the grounds of unnecessary events. According to the state government's order, agricultural, construction, industrial, and mining activities will be permitted during the lockdown.