Lakshya’s dream of defending the title had come crashing down when he had to withdraw from the tournament after his father-cum-coach DK Sen tested positive. He, however, had no symptoms. Ajay Jayaram and Subhankar Dey, who had arranged funds to participate in the German tourney, also had to withdraw owing to contact with senior Sen.

Lakshya, Jayaram, Subhankar and physio Abhishek Wagh had tested negative ahead of the tournament. The Indian contingent, however, had to spend five days in quarantine before fresh test results found them to be negative, clearing their return to the country.