Indian cricketer Rishabh Pant tests positive for COVID-19

Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant and training assistant Dayanand Garani have tested positive for COVID-19. The 23-year-old Pant is close to completing his quarantine period and can join the squad in Durham, if he returns two negative tests.The BCCI medical team identified bowling coach Bharat Arun, wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha and opener Abhimanyu Easwaran as close contacts of Garani.

India will enter a bio-bubble before the five-match Test series with England starting on 4th of August. The Indian players have remained in England after the World Test Championship Final last month.

The news came amid reports that BCCI Secretary Jay Shah had sent an email to the 23-member team and asked the players to avoid crowded places and going to tennis Grand Slam Wimbledon and Euro Championship.However, Pant shared pictures on social media attending the last-16 Euro 2020 match, while the chief coach Ravi Shastri also shared his pictures from Wimbledon.

Meanwhile, the Indian Test team will play a three-day game against a County Championship XI strictly behind closed doors. The match, which is part of preparation for the five-Test series, will commence on 20th of July at the Riverside ground.The three-day game will see a number of players from the county circuit against the Indian side, which will be led by skipper Virat Kohli.