The Indian camp preparing for the one-off Test against England at Edgbaston has suffered a huge setback with their captain Rohit Sharma returning a positive test for the coronavirus.
The results came on June 25, and if the same protocols of five-day isolation are followed, the 35-year-old could be in doubt for the Test, which is scheduled to begin on July 1.
Sharma is currently in isolation under the observation of the medical team of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, and a further RT-PCR test will be taken on Sunday (June 26) to find out the level of infection.
The Indian board issued a press release after the end of day three of the team’s warm-up match against Leicestershire. The Mumbai Indians skipper had made 25 in the first innings but did not bat in the second.
More than Rohit the captain, the Men in Blue will desperately need Rohit the batter in this conclusion Test of the Pataudi Trophy. He was the top run-getter in the incomplete series against England last year, with 368 runs from four matches at an average of 52.57, including a century and two fifties.
Previously, Ravichandran Ashwin was tested positive before leaving India and had to join the team late. Several New Zealand players were tested positive during their ongoing series, while England batting coach Marcus Trescothick also had to miss the Headingley match after testing positive.
India have had a decent preparation through the warm-up game, with Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, and Ravindra Jadeja among runs, while bowlers also getting a significant number of overs under their belt. If Rohit does miss the Test, Srikar Bharat has made a strong case for his inclusion with 70 and 43 in two innings.
