The Indian team is fearing more covid-19 cases in the squad ahead of the warm-up match against Leicestershire on June 24. They are in Leicester to prepare for the fifth (rescheduled) test match against England.
The Indian players arrived in batches in England along with the support staff. They were asked to undergo an RT-PCR test before boarding the flight. Subsequently, off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin’s test came positive. He had to miss the flight to England. Ashwin is in quarantine and will join the team only after meeting all the protocol requirements.
However, the Indian team is fearing more players being infected by the virus. As per a recent report in the Times of India, former India skipper Virat Kohli too had tested positive, upon arriving in England. Virat Kohli was rested from the recently concluded T20I series against South Africa. He took a short break to visit the Maldives with his family.
“Yes, Virat too was hit by Covid after returning from holidaying in the Maldives, but he’s recovered now,” said a source to the TOI.
The fifth test match against England will begin on July 1 at the Edgbaston in Birmingham. It was scheduled to be played last year. However, due to the covid-19 outbreak in the Indian team, the match had to be rescheduled.
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Medical advice is to not overload the players: Sources
The report further adds that the medical staff traveling with the Indian team has advised the management to not overload the players. The Indian team was hoping to use the warm-up match effectively to prepare for the test match. However, with the chances of more players being infected, they will have to assort to a cautious approach.
“This now means that the tour game against Leicestershire from June 24 won’t be as intense as coach Rahul Dravid wanted it to be, since the medical advice is to not overload the players after they’ve suffered Covid-19. There could be more Covid cases in the team,” said the source.
Along with the solitary test, the Indian team will also play limited-overs cricket against England. Three-match ODI and as many T20Is will take place starting from July 7.
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