At least seven members of India’s squad — four players and three support staff members, including a coaching staff member — in Ahmedabad have tested positive for COVID-19, ahead of Sunday’s first ODI versus the West Indies.
Openers Shikhar Dhawan and Ruturaj Gaikwad, middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer and net bowler Navdeep Saini have all tested positive during their mandatory isolation period before the start of the series.
With so many confirmed cases, it believed that yet another RT-PCR test will be conducted by Thursday morning to determine whether India can go ahead with its first scheduled training session on the day.
However, despite the scare, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) insisted the series will “proceed as per schedule” and suitable replacements will be deputed.
Mayank Agarwal was on Wednesday night added to India’s ODI squad.
“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 Indian team assembled in Ahmedabad on January 31 for the upcoming Paytm three-match ODI and T20I series against the West Indies. The team was going through a three-day isolation period post their break from the South Africa series.
The series starts in Ahmedabad on February 6 with India’s 1000th ODI match.
The players who tested positive for Covid will remain in isolation until complete recovery, the BCCI added.
