ENG vs IND: Rishabh Pant and one more Indian player test positive for COVID-19 in the UK

ENG vs IND: Rishabh Pant and one more Indian player test positive for COVID-19 in the UK

Rishabh Pant

The Indian team bound for the Test series against England, is hit hard by COVID-19 as two players have tested positive for the novel coronavirus. According to reports, one of them is believed to be wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant.

The 23-year-old was recently snapped with friends at the Wembley Stadium during the Euro 2020 knock-out match between England and Germany. He was not wearing a face mask like most of the spectators enjoying the game.

As per a report in news agency PTI, some BCCI sources mentioned that Rishabh Pant is the one infected with the virus.

“He (Pant) is in quarantine at an acquaintance’s place and won’t be travelling with the team to Durham on Thursday,” a BCCI source said.

The report further stated that the southpaw has been possibly hit by the Delta variant of the virus which has led to the rising number of cases in England. Moreover, Pant has been tested positive for over a week now. But he has been asymptomatic and recovering well.

“BCCI secretary Jay Shah had informed players to maintain protocols”

Indian Test Team
Indian Test Team is currently in England for the five-match Test series

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice president Rajiv Shukla had also earlier confirmed that one of the players from the 23-member squad had tested positive. However, he refrained from naming the player while asserting that no other person has been affected by the virus.

Shukla also highlighted that the Board secretary Jay Shah had officially written to all the players to take care of the COVID-19 protocols during their three-week break in the UK.

“Yes, one player has tested positive but he has been in isolation for the last eight days. He was not staying in any hotel with the team, so no other player has been affected. But I can’t divulge the name of the player,” BCCI Vice President Rajiv Shukla told PTI on Thursday.

“As of now, no other player has tested positive. Also, you must be aware our secretary Jay Shah has written a letter to all players to maintain protocols,” Shukla added.

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