Suryakumar Yadav and Prithvi Shaw will have to return two negative RT-PCR tests before they can leave for England from Sri Lanka after being asked to isolate in Colombo. The two batsmen were among the eight close contacts of Krunal Pandya, who tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this week. While the all-rounder has been isolating in a separate hotel, eight members of the Indian team are in isolation in the team’s hotel.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had on Monday confirmed that Shaw and Suryakumar will be travelling to England and join the Test squad as replacements for injured Shubman Gill, Washington Sundar, and Avesh Khan. However, Krunal’s positive COVID test has put their travelling plans in doubt.
As per a report in The Indian Express, the BCCI is making arrangements for Shaw and Suryakumar to travel to England but the two batsmen will have to undergo three COVID-19 tests each and return negative each time to board the flight. The report also claimed that the eight players, who are in isolation, had dinner together a day before Krunal had tested positive for COVID-19.
The second T20I between India and Sri Lanka which had to be postponed on Tuesday following Krunal’s positive test went ahead on Wednesday with India fielding a depleted side and handing debuts to as many as four players. RuturajGaikwad, Devdutt Padikkal, Nitish Rana and Chetan Sakariya made their T20I debuts as India played with only five specialist batsmen and no all-rounder in the game.
