India’s wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant has been tested positive for Coronavirus ahead of their five-match Test series against England, starting from August 4. Pant was spotted at the Wembley Stadium to watch England’s Round of 16 clash against Germany on June 30.
Rishabh Pant Tests Positive for COVID19
He will not be travelling to Durham where the Indian team members are scheduled to assemble before the upcoming 5-match Test series against England.
The break was given to the players after the World Test Championship against New Zealand, which the team lost last month.
“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,” BCCI Vice President Rajiv Shukla told PTI.
“As of now, no other player has tested positive. Also, you must be aware our secretary Jay Shah has written a letter to all players to maintain protocols,” Shukla added.
It is understood that Pant has been afflicted by the Delta variant which has led to the rising number of cases in England. He was seen attending a Euro championship match last month and had even posted pictures on his social media accounts.
Good experience watching ⚽️. 🏴 vs 🇩🇪 pic.twitter.com/LvOYex5svE
— Rishabh Pant (@RishabhPant17) June 30, 2021
Jay Shah, secretary of BCCI, had warned the cricketers not to go out as the Delta variant was rampant in the UK. In his letter, Jay Shah had also asked the players not to go out because vaccination does not provide immunity.
England Players too Infected
Last week before the first ODI against Pakistan, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed that seven team members, including three players and four staff members, tested positive for Covid-19.
The development forced an overhaul of the England ODI squad, with Ben Stokes being appointed the captain of the team.
In his statement, ECB chief executive Tom Harrison mentioned the Delta variant of the virus without revealing if the squad members were affected by it.
“We have been mindful that the emergence of the Delta variant, along with our move away from the stringent enforcement of biosecure environments, could increase the chances of an outbreak. We made a strategic choice to try to adapt protocols, in order to support the overall wellbeing of our players and management staff who have spent much of the last 14 months living in very restricted conditions,” Harrison had said.
