In a huge boost for Team India ahead of the start of their Test series against England, wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant has tested negative for COVID-19 and has recovered from the infection. Pant had tested positive for COVID-19 on July 8th during the team’s off time in England post the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
He was in isolation at a friend’s house in London and has now completed his 10-day isolation period. However, he won’t be joining the Indan squad for the first warm-up match against Select County XI in Durham which gets underway from July 20th (Tuesday). Pant is expected to be available for the second practice match later this month.
Sources close to the development told Times Now that Pant has recovered from the virus and is all set to join the team’s bio-bubble on July 20 (Tuesday). The Indian players are currently in Durham where they are preparing to take on Select County XI in the first warm-up match that has been accorded the first-class status.
Along with Pant, India’s throwdown specialist Dayanand Garani had also tested positive for the virus while staying in the team’s hotel. Wriddhiman Saha and bowling coach Bharat Arun, who had come in close contact with Garnai, were forced into isolation post his positive report.
With both Pant and Saha unavailable for selection in the first practice match against Select County XI, India are likely to have KL Rahul don the gloves behind the stumps. Pant will be back behind the stumps once he joins the rest of the squad in Durham ahead of the second warm-up match.
The players and their family members have already received their second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in England and have also been undergoing lateral flow tests on a regular basis to keep the virus at bay. The players had assembled in Durham last week for their first warm-up game which will be a three-day affair.
The warm-up matches will give the team a much-needed opportunity to find their rhythm ahead of the five-match Test series against England which gets underway from August 04.
