Fifth Test in Manchester likely to go ahead after Indian players tested negative for COVID-19; Indian team’s junior physio had tested positive leading to cancellation of practice session on match eve
India skipper Virat Kohli during a practice session at Old Trafford, Manchester, on Wednesday. Pic/Getty Images
All the 21 players of the Indian Test squad have tested negative for COVID-19, a development that clears the decks for the fifth Test against England to proceed as scheduled from Friday after the uncertainty triggered by a positive case in the visiting contingent.
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The entire Indian group had to undergo RT-PCR tests after assistant physio Yogesh Parmar tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday.
The Indians had already lost their head physio Nitin Patel, who is currently in isolation after testing positive along with head coach Ravi Shastri and bowling coach Bharat Arun in London. “All the players have returned with negative test,” a senior BCCI source told PTI on Friday.
While chances have increased of the Test match happening, sources are also saying that at least one senior Indian player doesn’t want to take the field as he fears someone might test positive while playing the game.
The BCCI is trying to persuade that senior cricketer, whose family is also against him playing the game, according to a source. Meanwhile, England vice-captain Jos Buttler said that he expects the fifth Test to proceed as scheduled.
“I don’t know too much, to be honest, at the moment. At present, we are expecting the game to go ahead. Things are all fine in our camp. We are looking forward to the game,” Buttler said during a media interaction.
Buttler, who was on paternity leave during The Oval Test, said that his team are all fired up to square the series, which India currently leads 2-1.
“It was a fantastic Test match [at The Oval]. The Indians played brilliant cricket. We want to win this Test match and level the series. The spirits are high in the side. It’s a must win game for us,” he said.
There is speculation that England pace spearhead James Anderson might be rested for the game but Buttler insisted that the pacer “is incredibly fit and is available for selection.” Speaking about the wicket, Buttler said, “Pretty good wicket, looks a bit dry. There could be spin later on. We played against the West Indies and Pakistan, so we know the conditions pretty well.”
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