Rahul Dravid tests Covid positive, placed in isolation
Rahul Dravid, India’s head coach, tested positive for Covid-19, so he is not going to Dubai with the rest of the team today for the Asia Cup. The India squad is travelling to Dubai today, and the players and support personnel have the option of flying directly from their respective airports. Dravid, who was scheduled to leave Bangalore, tested positive and has been placed in isolation. Dravid is thought to have had slight symptoms that have now subsided. He will take the test again in two days. The bowling coach, Paras Mhambrey, will fill in until then.
NEWS – Head Coach Rahul Dravid tests positive for COVID-19.
More details here – https://t.co/T7qUP4QTQk #TeamIndia
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 23, 2022
“Dravid’s symptoms are mild. So we will wait and decide later whether we need to send VVS Laxman as his replacement or not. Laxman is already in Harare and they are supposed to take a flight to Dubai today. We can ask Laxman to stay back for a few days in Dubai until Dravid’s situation gets clear. We have asked Dravid to undergo another test,” a BCCI official stated.
A press release from the BCCI confirmed the news : “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.”
A big blow for India ahead of the Asia Cup 👀https://t.co/N4JXJoBGZS
— ICC (@ICC) August 23, 2022
In his absence, the Indian squad might be led by VVS Laxman, the director of the National Cricket Academy (NCA). This will not be Laxman’s first time filling in for Dravid. The former Indian hitter led the Indian squad during their away T20I tour of Ireland, as well as the just finished ODI series in Zimbabwe, which India won 3-0.
The Asia Cup will very certainly be India’s final competition before announcing the selection for the T20 World Cup in Australia in October-November. In that regard, the Asia Cup is a crucial competition for decision makers to attend. The squad is expected to have 11 or 12 spots reserved, although the Asia Cup might have an impact on the final three or four spots.
Since he took over in November of last year, Dravid has been on the road for nine and a half months and five series. The only break was during the IPL.
Dravid will very certainly take over as team captain once he heals. The Asia Cup will begin on August 27 in the UAE and end on September 11. India will begin their campaign on August 28 against Pakistan, followed by a match against a qualifier on August 31.
