BCCI has taken all possible precautions to keep the team safe against covid-19, says Rajeev Shukla

New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Vice President Rajeev Shukla on Thursday (July 15) said despite the fact that one member from the touring contingent is presently positive for Covid-19 in England, there isn’t anything to stress over as the board is playing it safe taking every precaution possible for the team. 

The spread of COVID-19 wasn’t confined to just the England team in the recent past, even two Indian cricketers were influenced by the virus in the UK. Yet, luckily, both are doing fine at this point. 

While one of them – a top-order batsman – has even returned negative tests since Rishabh Pant will be tested on July 18 as he finishes his tenth day in isolation. 

“One player has been discovered positive, he was asymptomatic, I will not reveal the name. He is not remaining in the squad’s hotel, he is staying with family members and is recuperating quite well. He is in isolation, he was discovered positive 8 days back. He will be tested again in the next two days,” Shukla (BCCI) told ANI. 

“Team India is fine, there is no issue. Secretary Jay Shah has composed a letter to team executives saying everyone ought to follow the COVID protocols, strict measures, anything that might be adapted according to the suggestions should be followed and all wellbeing safeguards ought to be taken and the team must be exceptionally cautious during the England tour,” he added. 

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In an early misfortune for Team India, wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of the five-match Test series against England, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed Thursday. 

Pant is “asymptomatic” and has been in isolation throughout the last eight days, revealed BCCI. 

Following the loss in the World Test Championship (WTC) final against New Zealand last month, the Indian cricket team has been on a break and outside the bio-bubble. The players and the support staff were approached to assemble in Durham on Thursday for the preparation ahead of the first Test, which starts on Aug. 4 in Nottingham. Nonetheless, Pant, who is believed to have gotten the Delta variation, will not head out to Durham of its own. 

BCCI secretary Jay Shah recently sent an email to the Indian contingent in the U.K., warning them about the spike in COVID-19 cases in the country. He asked the players and support staff to not attend recently conducted sporting events such as Euros 2020 and Wimbledon. 

In any case, the members from the Indian squad didn’t adhere to that and were spotted at those events. While lead coach Ravi Shastri and Ravichandran Ashwin went to watch Wimbledon, the quickie Jasprit Bumrah and Pant went to Euro 2020 matches. 

The five Tests between India and England are scheduled to be played at Trent Bridge in Nottingham, Lord’s in London, Headingley in Leeds, Kennington Oval in London, and Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester.

Further discussing the developments, Shukla said: “We are avoiding potential risk during the series, everybody is placed in the bio-bubble so since it was a long gap of one month so players were permitted to go around. I don’t imagine that they can be continually kept in a bubble. 

“We are not that stressed in light of the fact that the rest of the players are fine they will head to Durham. Who is in isolation won’t go with the rest of the squad. When they test negative, then, at that point they can continue ahead.” 

The Indian team will play a warm-up game from July 20 to 22 against a County Championship XI team that is being orchestrated by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) after a request from the BCCI.