Indian cricket team’s head coach Ravi Shastri has tested positive for COVID-19 along with two members of the support staff. Bowling coach Bharat Arun and fielding coach R Sridhar have also tested positive for the virus after confirmed RT-PCR results. The three members from the Indian contingent are ruled out from the fifth and final Test which will be played at Manchester later this week.
Ravi Shastri’s lateral flow test came positive on Sunday, following the RT-PCR results on Monday, it was confirmed that the 59-year-old has been tested positive for the virus. Three members from the support staff, Arun, Sridhar and physiotherapist Nitin Patel were also isolated after been in close contact with the Indian head coach.
“They have undergone RT-PCR testing and shall remain in the team hotel and not travel with Team India until confirmation from the medical team,” the BCCI had said in a statement on Sunday.
Even Nitin Patel won’t be travelling with the team to Manchester for the final game of the series.
It is been expected that Shastri will be in contact with the Indian skipper Virat Kohli and batting coach Vikram Rathore who will be the in-charge for the fifth Test in the absence of the head coach.
The members from the playing XI were tested negative in the lateral flow test which was conducted on Saturday evening and Sunday morning.
In the ongoing fourth Test match between India and England, the hosts have to chase a competitive target of 368 in the fourth innings. The series is currently levelled at 1-1 after the first three Tests.