Dravid tests positive for Covid ahead of Asia Cup

Indian head coach Rahul Dravid has tested positive for Covid and didn't travel with the team to the UAE for the Asia Cup, which will get underway from August 27, the Board of Control for Cricket in India said on Tuesday (August 23).

India's bowling coach Paras Mhambrey will step in his absence.

"Mr. Dravid is under the supervision of the BCCI Medical team and has mild symptoms. He will join the team once he returns with a negative COVID-19 report," the BCCI stated in a release.

Dravid, along with batting coach Vikram Rathour and bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, didn’t travel to Zimbabwe for the three-match ODI series but were supposed to be part of the Indian set-up for the Asia Cup.

In his absence, former India batter and current National Cricket Academy chief VVS Laxman travelled with the Indian side to Zimbabwe. However, a decision on him joining the Indian side for the Asia Cup will only be taken once Dravid takes the test in two days.

While the majority of the members of the team left from Mumbai on Tuesday morning, vice-captain KL Rahul, Avesh Khan, Deepak Hooda, Axar Patel and Deepak Chahar will travel from Harare, having finished their Zimbabwe assignment.

The Men in Blue will commence their Asia Cup campaign against their arch-rivals Pakistan on August 28 in Dubai.