London: In what looks like a concerning situation, another member of Team India's support staff has tested positive for Covid-19. This is the second case after Rishabh Pant was tested positive earlier today. Indian team's throwdown specialist Dayanand Garani has tested positive as reported by PTI.
It is also being learnt that India's to other support staff members have been kept in isolation. These four, including Rishabh Pant, will not be travelling with the Indian squad to Durham where the team is scheduled to play a practice match.
Rishabh Pant had recently gone to watch the Euro Cup match. Since then, he has complained of pain in the throat. Apart from this, mild symptoms like cold and cough were also noticed, after which he was immediately sent to isolation.
Cricketers getting affected by Covid-19 has been a recurring phenomenon, especially among those travelling to England. Recently, the ODI series with Sri Lanka had to be postponed as Sri Lankan support staff were tested positive on return from England.
In his statement, ECB chief executive Tom Harrison expressed his concern on the matter and assured that ECB is serious about it.
“We have been mindful that the emergence of the Delta variant, along with our move away from the stringent enforcement of biosecure environments, could increase the chances of an outbreak. We made a strategic choice to try to adapt protocols, in order to support the overall wellbeing of our players and management staff who have spent much of the last 14 months living in very restricted conditions,” Harrison had said.
Meanwhile, the other Indian players will be travelling to Durham for the practice match after undergoing their Covid tests. The practice match begins from 20 and will be broadcasted Live on Durham's Youtube channel.