Dravid tested positive before the team’s departure to the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday and will rejoin them once he tests negative and is approved by the BCCI medical team.
New Delhi: Rahul Dravid, India’s head coach, tested positive for COVID-19 and did not accompany the Rohit Sharma-led team to Dubai for the Asia Cup, which begins August 27, according to BCCI secretary Jay Shah.
On August 28, India will face archrival Pakistan in their first game.
“Team India Head Coach Rahul Dravid has tested positive for COVID-19 in a routine test conducted before the team’s departure to the UAE for Asia Cup 2022. Dravid is under the supervision of the BCCI Medical team and has mild symptoms. He will join the team once he returns with a negative COVID-19 report,” Shah stated in a press statement.
It is anticipated that assistant coach Paras Mhambrey will be in command of the team for the time being, but a decision on whether NCA head VVS Laxman will join the team in Dubai will be made later on Tuesday.
“We haven’t taken a call on whether VVS will be going to Dubai from Harare or not. A call will be taken accordingly, and if required, he will join. Till then, Paras Mhambrey will be in-charge. All other members are fit and left for UAE early in the day,” On condition of anonymity, a BCCI source told PTI.
While most of the team departed from Mumbai on Tuesday morning, vice-captain KL Rahul, Deepak Hooda, and reserve player Axar Patel will depart from Harare after completing their Zimbabwe assignment.
