The BCCI has issued an official statement confirming that seven members of the Indian cricket team (four players and three support staff) have tested positive for Covid-19 and informed that the opener Mayank Agarwal has been added to the 18-member squad. In India: A six-match limited match against West Indies will begin with the first ODI on Sunday, February 6.

“The All India Senior Selection Committee has added Mayank Agarwal to India’s ODI squad after seven members including three players (senior men) of the Indian team tested positive for Covid-19 after three rounds of RT-PCR tests response,” the BCCI said in a statement.

“Members are required to report the upcoming three ODI and T20I series matches against West Indies in Ahmedabad on 31 January 2022. Each member is also required to report to Ahmedabad at the start of the trip RT-PCR test at home prior to the trip, which was carried out after testing negative.”

The release further stated that Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer and Ruturaj Gaikwad were indeed the three players who tested positive, as well as standby bowler Navdeep Saini. Fielding coach T Dilip, safety liaison officer B Lokesh and sports massage therapist Rajeev Kumar also contracted the virus.

“RT-PCR tests of opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan and fast bowler Navdeep Saini (alternate) on Monday (Jan 31) returned positive results. RT by Fielding Coach T. Dilip and Safety Liaison Officer B. Lokesh – PCR tests conducted on Monday (31 January) have returned positive results, the release mentioned.

“Ruturaj Gaikwad tested positive for RT-PCR on Tuesday (Feb 1). He came back negative in the first round of tests on Monday. Shreyas Iyer and sports massage therapist Rajeev Kumar on Wednesday (Feb 1) Both RT-PCR tests performed 2nd) returned positive results. Both tested negative in the first two rounds of testing.”

The Covid batsmen will now be quarantined for at least seven days with little chance of an ODI match against West Indies at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. This development is a bummer for Dhawan fans and followers, as the left-handed batsman is only part of the ODI squad, not the T20Is. The same goes for Gaikwad, who, despite being part of the South African Indian ODI squad, didn’t get a match after he ignited the Vijay Hazare tournament.

The ODI in Ahmedabad will be held behind closed doors, while the three ODIs to be held at Eden Gardens will witness 75% attendance of the Kolkata audience.

Complete News Source : Hindustan Times