NEW DELHI: Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishab Pant has tested positive for coronavirus as the squad prepares for a Test series in England, Indian media reported today (Thursday).
“Pant has tested positive and will not travel to Durham with the rest of the team,” a cricket official told an international news agency on condition of anonymity. The left-handed batsman has been in quarantine for the past week.
As per media reports, Pant took a COVID-19 test eight days ago and for the time being, is asymptomatic. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Vice President Rajiv Shukla said no other player has been affected by the virus.
“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,” the BCCI official added.
Pant posted pictures of himself at a Euro 2020 football match last month on his social media accounts. Sources told Indian media Pant opted for a COVID-19 test after he experienced a sore throat.
The test came back positive and the players as well as support staff that had come in contact with the cricketer, have completed their three-day isolation period.
India is scheduled to play a five-match Test series against England in the days to come. The Indian squad remained in England after losing to New Zealand in the World Test Championship final last month.
The players were given a 20-day break before regrouping for the Test series which marks the start of the second World Test Championship.
England’s team was also hit by the coronavirus and was forced to field a second-string side, led by Ben Stokes, for the limited-overs series against Pakistan.
