London: India head coach Ravi Shastri and three other members of the support staff have been isolated as a precautionary measure after the former tested positive for COVID-19 in his Lateral Flow Test on Sunday.
Shastri was part of the team discussions until Day 3 of the ongoing fourth Test against England but will now stay away in isolation, as confirmed by the BCCI. As per reports, the other three members are bowling coach Bharat Arun, fielding coach R. Sridhar, and physiotherapist Nitin Patel.
“The BCCI Medical Team has isolated Mr Ravi Shastri, Head Coach, Mr B. Arun, Bowling Coach, Mr R. Sridhar, Fielding Coach, and Mr Nitin Patel, Physiotherapist as a precautionary measure after Mr Shastri’s lateral flow test returned positive last evening,” BCCI secretary Jay Shah said in a statement.
“They have undergone RT-PCR tests and shall remain in the team hotel and not travel with India until confirmation from the medical team. The players and the rest of the members of the Indian contingent also took two Lateral Flow Tests.
“One of those was after play concluded on Day 3 and another one early morning on Sunday. As of now, no one from the players has tested positive. After testing negative they have been allowed to enter the ground at The Oval,” the statement added.
Shastri was seen applauding Rohit Sharma on Day 3 after the Indian opener notched up his first overseas ton, helping his side gain a good position in the contest. The former India captain, who took charge after Anil Kumble’s exit as the head coach, is unlikely to continue in the role after his contract ends following the conclusion of the 2021 T20 World Cup in the UAE.
