Uncertainty looms large over the 5th Test match of the bilateral series between India and hosts England at the iconic Old Trafford stadium in Manchester. Days after head coach Ravi Shastri and along with two members of the support staff tested positive for COVID-19, the India cricket team’s junior physio Yogesh Parmar has reportedly contracted the virus on the eve of the 5th Test match at Manchester.

Reacting to the recent developments ahead of the 5th Test match, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Sourav Ganguly has expressed his reservations about the 5th Test taking place as planned at Old Trafford. Unsure whether the fifth and final Test of the bilateral series will go ahead as planned or not, Ganguly remained optimistic about fans witnessing the epic encounter between India and England. 

“We don’t know if match will happen at the moment. Hopefully we can get some game,” Ganguly said during a book launch. According to a report filed by news agency PTI, it has been learned that the apex cricket board of India has requested the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to spare a physio for the Manchester Test match.

With Parmar testing positive for COVID, Team India is without a physio for the series decider against England at Old Trafford. Earlier, premier physio Nitin Patel had also contracted the disease and he is already in isolation. “The results of the RT-PCR tests (of players) are expected later in the day depending on which the fate of the game will be decided,” a BCCI source told the news agency. 

With RT-PCR testing taking place at the Indian camp, members of the Kohli-led side were advised to remain in their respective rooms. India are already without coach Shastri, who was earlier ruled out of the fifth and final Test against England in Manchester after testing positive. In the absence of coach Shastri, Kohli-led Team India had thrashed England by 157 runs in the 4th Test match at The Oval.