A crucial member of the Indian cricket team’s support staff, D Raghavendra, who is fondly called as “Raghu”, has reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of India’s upcoming tour of Australia.
Raghu, who is the cricket world’s only throw-down specialist, tested positive for COVID-19 during pre-departure tests in Bengaluru and hence has stayed back in India while the rest of the support staff along with Cheteshwar Pujara and Hanuma Vihari has traveled to the UAE on Tuesday.
Notably, the 32-year-old is a crucial member of Team India’s support staff having the unique ability to fire 140-150 kph missiles consistently at the batsmen that provide real match practice to Virat Kohli and his team – which played a significant role in the team’s late success.
He has been with the Indian team for the last six years and even once Kohli termed the throw-down specialist “the unsung hero of Indian cricket” for his brilliance at the nets and behind-the-scenes contribution to India’s success on the field over the years.
Meanwhile, Ravi Shastri-led coaching staff and some players, who are not a part of the ongoing IPL 2020, have arrived in Dubai and once they complete their quarantine, they can train together before the touring party departs for a three-month-long tour of Australia following the final on November 10.
Speaking to ANI, sources in the team management said revealed: “He tested positive so he couldn't travel with the rest of the support staff, but it isn't such a big concern as only Pujara and Vihari are currently not part of the IPL and the rest of the boys are busy playing in the league.”
Noteworthy, all the touring party will be first undergoing quarantine in a bio-secure bubble in UAE before heading to Sydney to play three ODIs, three T20Is, and four Tests from November 27 to January 19 against Australia.
