Team India will be without the services of as many as 3 coaches for the remainder of the series against England as after Ravi Shastri, 2 of his 3 close contacts have also tested positive for COVID-19. In the RT-PCR tests, bowling coach Bharat Arun and fielding coach R Sridhar have tested positive for the infection.

As per ANI, Arun and Sridhar have also tested positive in RT-PCR tests and will remain in isolation, which will see them miss the 5th Test match. A report in The Indian Express had suggested that Shastri will remain in isolation for 14 days. Since 2 other coaches have also tested positive, they might also remain in isolation for the same period. The 5th Test match starts on September 10.

The COVID-19 positive results haven’t had an impact on the ongoing series as day 4 and day 5 started on time. England are chasing the target of 368.

The COVID-19 positive results are likely to delay coaches’ arrival in India as they will have to clear all protocols. During Sri Lanka tour, the COVID-19 positive players – Krunal Pandya, Krishnappa Gowtham and Yuzvendra Chhal – only returned to India after they cleared all the protocols.

The coaching staff is scheduled to return to India while the players will be landing in UAE for the second phase of IPL 2021, which kicks off on September 19. They won’t be quarantined upon landing in UAE.

Rishabh Pant, throwdown specialist tested COVID-19 positive earlier

Before the start of the series, Team India was hit with a couple of COVID-19 cases as wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant had tested positive for the infection. He joined the team after completing his isolation period. Team India’s throwdown specialist Dayanand Garani had also tested positive for the infection. Bowling coach Arun was one of his close contacts.