Veteran Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan has expressed gratitude to his fans and followers for keeping him in their prayers as the Indian opener is recovering from novel coronavirus. Days before India’s home series with the West Indies, a COVID-19 outbreak hit the Indian national camp on Wednesday. Indian opener Dhawan, reserve opener Ruturaj Gaikwad and middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer had tested positive for the deadly disease ahead of the 1st One Day International (ODI) between India and the West Indies. 

Taking to Twitter on Thursday, Dhawan shared an update after contracting COVID-19 ahead of India’s next assignment at home. The 35-year-old batter shared a post in which the Indian southpaw thanked his fans and well-wishers who wished him a speedy recovery. “Thank you everyone for your wishes. I’m doing fine and humbled by all the love that’s come my way,” Dhawan said

Dhawan tested positive for the virus during the mandatory isolation period prior to the start of the West Indies white-ball series. The positive test for novel coronavirus has cast doubt over Dhawan’s participation in the ODI series opener on Sunday. Earlier, Dhawan made an instant impact while making his international return during India’s tour of South Africa. 

Dhawan top-scored for India (79) in the 1st ODI against the Proteas although the KL Rahul-led side was defeated by 31 runs. Dhawan finished the South Africa ODI series as India’s top scorer with 169 runs from 3 matches. Besides Dhawan, Gaikwad and Iyer, pacer Navdeep Saini has also tested positive for COVID-19 in the lead-up to the ODI series.

Pacer Saini was roped in as a net bowler for the West Indies series. Fielding coach T Dilip, security liaison officer B Lokesh and masseur Rajeev Kumar are the non-playing members who have tested positive for the virus. All three matches of the West Indies series will be played at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Team India is scheduled to play the West Indies in the 1st ODI at Ahmedabad on Sunday.