Ravi Shastri tests Covid positive, isolated along with staff

The BCCI on Sunday said that India head coach Ravi Shastri had tested positive for coronavirus. As per BCCI’s statements, Shastri is being isolated along with three of his close contacts includes the team’s bowling coach Bharath Arun. Shastri took the Rapid Antigen Test which showed a positive result. He will continue to remain in isolation till his test results of RT-PCR come.

The fourth test between India and England is scheduled as it is. Apart from Shastri and his staff, all other players have tested negative in two RATs, conducted on September 4 and September 5. R Sridhar who is the fielding coach and Nitin Patel, head physiotherapist have also been isolated.

The BCCI secretary Jay Shah stated in a release, “BCCI Medical Team has isolated Mr Ravi Shastri, Head Coach, Mr B. Arun, Bowling Coach, Mr R. Sridhar, Fielding Coach and Mr Nitin Patel, Physiotherapist as a precautionary measure after Mr Shastri’s lateral flow test returned positive last evening.”

On September 7, the team will travel to Manchester. Shastri and his staff will have to undergo 10-day room isolation followed by two negative RT-PCR results if they test positive in RT-PCR.

“The remaining members of the Team India contingent underwent two RATs. The members upon returning negative Covid reports were allowed to proceed for Day 4 of the ongoing fourth Test at The Oval,” said BCCI.

As per reports it is likely that Shastri might have contracted with the infection after he attended his book launch event in the team hotel where outside guests were also allowed.