Rishabh Pant: The Indian wicket-keeper batsman is under the spotlight for reportedly testing positive for COVID-19 in England.
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It was late last night that the news of an Indian Test cricketer testing positive for COVID-19 in England was doing the rounds in the media. With the team set to re-enter a bio-bubble in Durham today, the unnamed player was said to be doing well whilst self-isolating at a relative’s place.
“Yes, one of the players has tested positive although he is largely asymptomatic currently. He is in quarantine at an acquaintance’s place and won’t be travelling with the team to Durham on Thursday,” a source close to the BCCI was quoted as saying by PTI on conditions of anonymity.
It was this morning that news agency ANI reported that not one but two Indian players tested positive for the virus and that one of them has already recovered.
“Luckily, there is nothing to worry as one of players has already returned negative since testing positive, the other player will be tested on Sunday and it currently in isolation. He is asymptomatic as well and we are confident that join the camp soon after negative reports,” another source told ANI.
Transparency so much better than suspense in such matters https://t.co/OmCum5C1lg
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) July 15, 2021
The source further revealed that the rest of the Indian contingent is fine and that rapid testing will be conducted and strict protocols will be followed to ensure players’ safety ahead of the five-match Test series.
Rishabh Pant tests positive for COVID-19, say reports
If another set of reports are to be believed, wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant is one of two Indian cricketers who have tested positive for coronavirus. It is further being speculated that Pant is the one who is current self-isolating at a relative’s place.
Following the ICC World Test Championship final match in Southampton, Indian players were allowed to exit the bio-bubble and roam around freely as the rest of population in England.
Seems watching Match in Wembley and clicking pics with fans without mask got him @RishabhPant17 … according to sources pant is covid positive…hope pant recovers well in time for the 1st test @indiatvnews
— Samip Rajguru (@samiprajguru) July 15, 2021
Many Indian cricketers were spotted at premier sporting events during this period in Wimbledon and Euro 2020. Pant, too, had uploaded pictures from the Wembley Stadium where he had visited to watch England vs Germany knockout match.
Good experience watching ⚽️. 🏴 vs 🇩🇪 pic.twitter.com/LvOYex5svE
— Rishabh Pant (@RishabhPant17) June 30, 2021
With India scheduled to play a three-day warm-up match at the Riverside Ground from July 20, a clearer picture around Pant’s health will be known in the days to come. As far as Pant and the other player’s participation for the first Test against England from August 4 is concerned, these players have enough time to recover ahead of the Trent Bridge Test.
