Ahead of series against West Indies, multiple Covid cases reported in Team India camp

Feb. 2: Ahead of Team India’s home tour against West Indies, as many as eight members of the Indian cricket team have tested positive for COVID-19. The series is scheduled to start on 6 February. BCCI Treasurer Arun Kumar Dhumal has said that it has been brought to the Board’s notice that some team players and support staff members have tested Covid-19 positive.

Three players—Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer and Shikhar Dhawan have tested positive. However there are multiple Covid positive cases among non-coaching administrative support staff. It is expected that M Shahrukh Khan, R Sai Kishore, Rishi Dhawan, who are stand byes for the series, will now get a look-in to be in the squad.

Team India and West Indies are due to play in three ODIs and three T20Is, beginning February 4. All the ODIs are scheduled to be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad while the three T20Is will be played at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) confirmed that the upcoming three-match ODI series between India and West Indies will be played behind closed doors while the West Bengal government has permitted the Eden Gardens to have 75 per cent attendance for the T20I series in Kolkata.