Team India Hit By COVID-19 Outbreak: Shikhar Dhawan, 6 others test positive for virus

New Delhi: Indian batsmen Shikhar Dhawan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, and standby player fast bowler Navdeep Saini have tested positive for COVID-19. They will remain in isolation till complete recovery is attained, informed Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Apart from the four players, fielding Coach T Dilip, Security Liaison Officer B Lokesh, and the team’s sports massage therapist Rajeev Kumar have also tested positive for the infection following three rounds of RT-PCR testing.

Reportedly, the Indian team arrived in Ahmedabad on January 31 for the upcoming white-ball series against the West Indies and were going through a three-day isolation period post their break from the South Africa series.

“The All-India Senior Selection Committee has added Mayank Agarwal to India’s ODI squad after seven members, including three players of Team India (Senior Men) tested positive for COVID-19 following three rounds of RT-PCR testing,” the BCCI stated in a press release.

“The members were asked to report in Ahmedabad on 31st January 2022 for the upcoming Paytm three-match ODI and T20I series against the West Indies. Every member was also asked to undergo an RT-PCR test at home before embarking on their journey to Ahmedabad and the travel was undertaken only after testing negative,” it added.

Notably, the series starts in Ahmedabad on February 6 with India’s 1000th ODI match. Although Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and India team coach Rahul Dravid have tested negative for the coronavirus. However, they will have to isolate themselves and will be tested for the infection again.