India caught with Pant down

Rishabh Pant reacts after being hit by a rising delivery in Australia earlier this year

Wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant and throwdown specialist Dayanand Garani tested positive for COVID-19, while three others were placed in precautionary isolation as the dreaded virus hit the Indian cricket team ahead of next month's Test series against England.

Bharat Arun, Saha isolated

Bowling coach Bharath Arun and reserve wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha were put in isolation for having come in contact with Garani along with standby opener Abhimanyu Easwaran. It is learnt the Arun, Easwaran and Saha have all tested negative but have to follow the UK Government's health safety protocol. All five are currently in London while the rest reached Durham on Thursday after reassembling from a 20-day break. Pant and Saha could both miss India's practice match, beginning on July 20 against Combined Counties. In that case, KL Rahul will keep.

These images of Rishabh Pant not wearing a mask at one of the Euro football games emerged on social media recently

A BCCI source confirmed that Pant has been in isolation for the last eight days. He is, according to the source, asymptomatic at this point. "He is in quarantine at an acquaintance's place and won't be travelling with the team to Durham," he said without divulging when the stumper, 23, will join the squad. However, he is likely to undergo a COVID test in the next couple of days.

Interestingly, this development comes close on the heels of BCCI secretary Jay Shah sending an e-mail to the Indian contingent, warning them about the rising cases of COVID-19 in UK. The break was given to the players after their defeat in the World Test Championship to New Zealand last month. "Yes, one player has tested positive but he has been in isolation for the last eight days. He was not staying in any hotel with the team, so no other player has been affected," BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla said.

Delta variant strikes

It is understood that Pant has been afflicted by the Delta variant which has led to a rising number of cases in England. He was seen attending a Euro 2020 football match last month and had even posted pictures on social media. He underwent a test after experiencing fever. Shah, in his letter, had told the players to "avoid" crowded places as the Covishield vaccine only provides protection, not full immunity. He had also instructed players to avoid going to Wimbledon and the Euro matches. The Indian team is due to take on England in a five-match Test series starting August 4.

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