Manchester: India cricket team’s junior physiotherapist Yogesh Parmar tested positive for COVID-19, prompting the team to abandon a practice session ahead of the fifth Test against England, which begins on Friday.
The news was confirmed by a BCCI official to PTI, casting a different light on the final Test.
With Nitin Patel, the team’s main physio, already in isolation after head coach Ravi Shastri acquired the illness during the Oval Test, Parmar’s positive test leaves the team without a physio.
The BCCI has reportedly requested a physiotherapist from the England and Wales Cricket Board. “The results of the RT-PCR tests are expected later in the day depending on which the fate of the game will be decided,” said a BCCI source.
Meanwhile, the players have been instructed to remain in their rooms while RT-PCR testing is conducted. The players and support personnel have all been completely vaccinated.
However, Shastri is likely to have had the symptoms after attending the book launch at the team hotel, which welcomed outside guests. Arun, Patel, and Sridhar were all present during the event.
Aside from Shastri and Patel, R Sridhar, the fielding coach, and Bharat Arun, the bowling coach, are also in London. Vikram Rathour, the squad’s only batting coach, was present when the team won the fourth Test at the Oval on day five. India is 2-1 ahead in the five-match series.
