After Team India wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant, another support staff  Dayananda Garani has tested positive for the COVID-19. As a result, three members of the support staff group have been isolated ahead of the five-match Test series, which starts from August 4 in Nottingham.
Along with them, senior wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha has also been isolated because of coming in contact with Dayananda Garani.
“Yes Dayananda has tested positive, but luckily he wasn’t around too many members of the team. Saha unfortunately will have to isolate as he was a close contact. Hopefully, he returns negative tests too as Rishabh is also currently down and a subsequent test will give more clarity,” ANI quoted an official as saying.
As per reports in The Indian Express, Pant had tested positive a couple of days back and is currently quarantined at his relative’s place. Reports suggest that Rishabh Pant experienced a sore throat, which led to a Covid test and it returned positive.
His teammates and support staff, who came in contact with the player, were kept in isolation for three days and they have completed their isolation period.
Incidentally, Rishabh Pant was seen roaming in and around the UK during the break after the WTC final. He also visited the Wembley Stadium to watch a EURO 2020 game. He will now join the squad in Durham later.
India to play a warm-up game in Durham
Virat Kohli & Co will play a warm-up game against Durham’s select county championship XI ahead of the five-match Test series against England. The Emirates Riverside ground in Durham will host the game, which starts on July 20 (Tuesday).
After a heavy defeat against New Zealand in the WTC final in Southampton, the BCCI had requested ECB to stage a couple of warm-up matches before the Test series which kicks off on August 4 in Nottingham.
ECB responded to the request and India will now lock horns with Durham’s select County Championship XI. The match will be played strictly behind closed doors. The game will be streamed live via the Durham Cricket Youtube channel.
