Team India head coach Rahul Dravid tests COVID-19 positive, unlikely to travel for Asia Cup 2022

Team India will open their campaign in the Asia Cup 2022 with a clash against arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday (August 28).

Source: Twitter

Team India head coach Rahul Dravid, who was given a break from the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe, has tested COVID-19 positive, according to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Dravid is now unlikely to travel with the Indian cricket team for the Asia Cup 2022 which begins with India’s clash against arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday (August 28).

Dravid had not travelled with the Indian ODI team for the Zimbabwe tour and VVS Laxman had taken over the coaching duties. India beat Zimbabwe 3-0 in the three-match ODI series. It remains to be seen if Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will ask VVS Laxman to continue in his role as the head coach for the Asia Cup 2022 as well.

“Team India Head Coach Rahul Dravid has tested positive for COVID-19 in a routine test conducted ahead of the team’s departure to the UAE for Asia Cup 2022. Mr. Dravid is under the supervision of the BCCI Medical team and has mild symptoms. He will join the team once he returns with a negative COVID-19 report,” a BCCI statement read.

Breaking:
Rahul Dravid has been tested positive for Covid-19 and has not travelled with the team to Dubai.@BCCI @aktivolabs @ThumsUpOfficial #AsiaCup2022 | #RahulDravid pic.twitter.com/s5pXS6CE16 — RevSportz (@RevSportz) August 23, 2022

Dravid, along with batting coach Vikram Rathour and bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, had been given rest and all three were supposed to link up with India’s Asia Cup squad in Dubai. The BCCI added that the rest of the team will assemble in UAE for the Asia Cup 2022 on Tuesday (August 23).

The teams have started to assemble in the Dubai for the T20 event with Babar Azam’s Pakistan team arriving from the Netherlands on Tuesday (August 23).

It’s not clear whether Dravid will join the team for the crucial opening game or will fly to the UAE once he gets the all-clear from the Indian cricket board medical staff, said the BCCI. 

Team India will be led by Rohit Sharma, who will be back in charge after missing the Zimbabwe ODI series which India won 3-0 on Monday (August 22). India will miss the services of pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel, who are both ruled out with injuries.

The Asia Cup 2022 will also see the return of former captain Virat Kohli, who missed both the West Indies and Zimbabwe series.