Ruturaj Gaikwad joins Indian squad after recovering Covid-19

Indian opener Ruturaj Gaikwad, who had tested positive for COVID-19, has recovered and is out of isolation. However, with skipper Rohit Sharma already making it clear that senior opener Shikhar Dhawan will open the innings in the third ODI against West Indies here on Friday, the Maharashtra player is unlikely to be considered for the inconsequential match.

In the first game, Rohit Sharma opened with Ishan Kishan and in the second game, even though, KL Rahul returned, India opened with Rishabh Pant and Rohit Sharma while asking Rahul to bat at No.4. Shikhar Dhawan's return may see Pant dropping down to the middle-order once again and Dhawan and Rohit opening for the side.

Previously, Ruturaj had been picked in the squad for the New Zealand T20 series but warmed the bench and also did not get an opportunity to play against South Africa in the away ODI series. He was found to be COVID positive just four days before the start of the West Indies series, practically ruling him out of the rubber.

Ruturaj hasn't been included in the T20 squad and, in all likelihood, will now turn out for his home state in the upcoming Ranji Trophy. 

On February 2, a COVID-19 outbreak had hit the Indian cricket team as three players -- Dhawan, reserve opener Gaikwad and middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer -- tested positive for the virus during their mandatory isolation period before the start of the West Indies series.

Four other persons, including net bowler Navdeep Saini, had also tested positive for COVID-19. Saini was on the standby list.