India head coach Rahul Dravid has tested positive for COVID-19 and did not accompany the Rohit Sharma-led team that left for Dubai to compete in the Asia Cup, starting August 27. BCCI secretary Jay Shah confirmed on Tuesday. India play arch-rivals Pakistan in their opening game on 28 August. “Team India head coach Rahul Dravid has tested positive for COVID-19 in a routine test conducted before the team travels to UAE for the Asia Cup 2022.” 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,” Shah said in a release.
Indian Team Head Coach Rahul Dravid COVID Postive BREAKING NEWS #teamindia pic.twitter.com/9Zri76GmH4— Suraj Pawar __ (@PawarSuraj22) 23 August 2022
While assistant coach Paras Mhambrey is understood to be in charge of the team for the time being, a decision on whether NCA chief VVS Laxman will join the squad in Dubai will be taken later on Tuesday. “We have not taken any decision on whether VVS will travel from Harare to Dubai or not. A call will be made accordingly and he will attend if required. Till then Paras Mhambrey will be in charge. All other members are fit,” he said. and left for UAE at the beginning of the day,” a BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
Most of the team members left Mumbai on Tuesday morning, while vice-captains KL Rahul, Deepak Hooda and reserve player Axar Patel will travel from Harare to complete Zimbabwe’s duties.