As many as eight members of the Indian Cricket team have been infected with COVID-19, informed BCCI officials. Out of the eight are three players, senior opener Shikhar Dhawan, reserve opener Ruturaj Gaikwad and middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer, tested positive for the virus during the mandatory isolation period the team was undergoing after landing in Ahmedabad. Amongst the others are a stand-by player Navdeep Saini, a driver, security personnel, a physical trainer and a masseuse.
The Indian team assembled in Ahmedabad on January 31st for the upcoming white-ball series against the West Indies due to start on February 6th. The team during their mandatory three-day isolation period reported the detection of the 8 infections. Sources speculate, M Shahrukh Khan, R Sai Kishore, Rishi Dhawan, might now be recommended as replacements.
Speaking on the rescheduling of the series, BCCI has said- it’s flexible with the scheduling of the series. There could be a chance of pushing the series by a couple of days if need be. However, if no more positive cases come out then the series may start as per schedule on Sunday.
The three-match ODI series against West Indies in Ahmedabad would be India’s 1000th ODI match.