London: India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, who is in the 23-man squad to face England in the Test series, has tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday. The left-hander is currently isolating at a friend’s place in London and won’t be travelling to Durham later for a practice game starting July 20. The Test series starts on August 4.
After India’s World Test Championship final loss to New Zealand, the players were given a 20-day break. Pant was seen at the Wembley Stadium to watch England’s Round of 16 clash against Germany on June
“He (Pant) is in quarantine at an acquaintance’s place and won’t be travelling with the team to Durham on Thursday,” a BCCI official was quoted as saying to PTI. The development comes close after BCCI secretary Jay Shah send an e-mail to the Indian contingent, warning it about the rising cases of COVID-19 in the United Kingdom.
“Yes, one player has tested positive but he has been in isolation for the last eight days. He was not staying in any hotel with the team, so no other player has been affected. As of now, no other player has tested positive. Also you must be aware our secretary Jay Shah has written a letter to all players to maintain protocols,” BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla told PTI.
It has been learnt that Pant has been affected by the Delta variant which has led to the rising number of cases in England.
