The Indian Cricket Team has suffered another setback after head coach Rahul Dravid tested positive for COVID-19 just a few days before the start of the Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates.
His test result came just before the team was heading to departure to UAE. His participation with the team is in doubt. This is another setback for the Indian team following the exclusion of pacer Jasprit Bumrah from the Indian squad for the Asia Cup. Bumrah had failed to recover from the injury.
Just in: India head coach Rahul Dravid has tested positive for COVID-19
HE is under the supervision of the BCCI medical team and will join the team once he returns with a negative COVID-19 report pic.twitter.com/DmAHQoCEVT
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) August 23, 2022
Bumrah is counted among the lethal bowling attacks of the Indian Cricket Team. He has taken 69 wickets in 58 T20Is. He conceded 22 runs in three overs against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup.
Dravid had mild symptoms, team management is hopeful he will recover soon and will join the Indian team in UAE. The decision to delegate responsibilities to VVS Laxman to coach the team will be made two days after Dravid will have another COVID-19 test. Earlier, Laxman had stepped in to take on the responsibilities during the Indian team’s recent visit to Zimbabwe.
India to travel for Asia Cup without head coach Rahul Dravid 👀
The 49-year-old has tested positive for COVID-19
Read more: https://t.co/ezR5D939BV#AsiaCup2022 pic.twitter.com/0X3DKaHnl0
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) August 23, 2022
Read more: Muhammad Hasnain replaces Shaheen Shah Afridi for Asia Cup
“Team India Head Coach Rahul Dravid has tested positive for COVID-19 in a routine test conducted ahead of the team’s departure to the UAE for Asia Cup 2022,” a BCCI release said. “Mr. Dravid is under the supervision of the BCCI Medical team and has mild symptoms. He will join the team once he returns with a negative COVID-19 report. The rest of the team will assemble in UAE on 23rd August 2022.”
Both India and Pakistan have their first match in the tournament against each other on August 28th.
Pakistan also faces a challenge after Shaheen Shah Afridi was declared unfit due to his knee injury to play Asia Cup. Muhammad Husnain had replaced Afridi in the team.