Asia Cup: Rahul Dravid tests positive for COVID

India head coach Rahul Dravid has tested positive for Covid-19 only days before the Asia Cup 2022 and is under the supervision of the BCCI Medical team and has mild symptoms.

“Team India Head Coach Rahul Dravid has tested positive for COVID-19 in a routine test conducted ahead of the team’s departure to the UAE for Asia Cup 2022. Mr. Dravid is under the supervision of the BCCI Medical team and has mild symptoms. He will join the team once he returns with a negative COVID-19 report. The rest of the team will assemble in UAE on 23rd August, 2022,”

BCCI stated In a press release

Dravid had not travelled with the Indian ODI team for the Zimbabwe visit and VVS Laxman had taken over the coaching obligations. India beat Zimbabwe 3-0 in the three-match ODI series.

Dravid, alongside batting coach Vikram Rathour and bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, had been given rest and every one of the three were supposed to link up with India’s Asia Cup squad in Dubai.

“Rahul Dravid has tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently in isolation. We are still hopeful that he will recover soon and might join the team in due course,”

a senior BCCI official told PTI on the conditions of anonymity

NEWS – Head Coach Rahul Dravid tests positive for COVID-19.

More details here – https://t.co/T7qUP4QTQk #TeamIndia

— BCCI (@BCCI) August 23, 2022

It is perceived that for now, right hand mentor Paras Mhambrey will be responsible for the team yet an approach whether NCA head VVS Laxman will join the team in Dubai will be taken later on Tuesday.

“We haven’t taken a call on whether VVS will be going to Dubai from Harare or not. A call will be taken accordingly and if required, he will join. Till then Paras Mhambrey will be in-charge. All other members are fit and left for UAE early in the day,”

he also confirmed

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While most of the members from the team left from Mumbai on Tuesday morning, vice-captain KL Rahul, Deepak Hooda and reserve player Axar Patel will go from Harare, having completed their Zimbabwe assignment.

India is to open their campaign on August 28 with the high power clash against Pakistan. The teams have begun to assemble in Dubai for the T20 event.