England vs India: Rishabh Pant tests positive for COVID-19
What's the story
In a major blow to Team India, Rishabh Pant has tested positive for COVID-19.
Reportedly, the Indian wicket-keeper-batsman is in home isolation at the moment.
Pant will not travel to Durham, where the Indian team re-assembles to prepare for a three-day warm-up game against a County Championship XI team, starting July 20.
Here is more on the same.
Pant
Pant has been in isolation for eight days
A BCCI source confirmed that Pant had tested positive and had been in isolation for the past eight days.
As per reports, he remains asymptomatic as of now.
"He's in quarantine at an acquaintance's place and won't be traveling with the team to Durham on Thursday," a source told PTI.
It remains to be seen if Pant joins the squad at a later stage.
Information
Several others underwent a three-day quarantine
According to the sources, Pant experienced a sore throat, followed by a positive COVID-19 test. The team-mates and support staff, who came in contact with him, were kept in isolation for three days. They have completed their isolation period.
Vairant
Pant has contracted the Delta variant of virus
It is understood that Pant has contracted the Delta variant of the virus, which has been prevalent in the UK.
"Yes, one of the players has tested positive although he is largely asymptomatic currently. He is in quarantine at an acquaintance's place and won't be traveling with the team to Durham on Thursday," a BCCI source told PTI on the condition of anonymity.
Letter
BCCI had advised players to avoid going out
In a letter addressed to the Indian camp, BCCI secretary Jay Shah told the players to "avoid" crowded places as the Covishield vaccine only provides protection and not full immunity against the virus.
The letter also stated that players should avoid going to Wimbledon and the Euro Championships.
India are due to lock horns with England in a five-match Test series, starting August 4.