Accoridng to the reports of NDTV, a staff member of the Indian Test squad, currently in the UK for the five-match Test series against England, tested positive for COVID-19 a few hours after the young Indian wicket-keeper batsman, Rishabh Pant was reported to also have been infected. Moreover, three coaching assistants of the team have been isolated and none of the aforementioned staff members will travel to Durham with the team for a three-match practice match.

The spate of COVID-19 cases in the team comes with just over a fortnight to go for the first Test at Trent Bridge that is scheduled to commence on August 4. The Indian Test squad has been in England for more than a month now since arriving there ahead of the World Test Championship final in June.

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After the final, the squad members had dispersed for a 20-day break and were expected to assemble ahead of a practice match in Durham. Rishabh Pant had taken a COVID test eight days ago, sources said, and he is currently asymptomatic.

Pant was recently seen at London’s Wembley Stadium watching a football match during Euro 2020. Pant had taken his first dose of COVID-19 vaccine on May 13, ahead of the team’s departure to England.

Meanwhile, BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla said no other player has been affected by the virus. As per the quotes in PTI, he said, “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.”

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The practice match at Durham begins on July 20 and the Test series that follows will mark the beginning of the second cycle of World Test Championship.