In a major development, several India Under-19 players, including skipper Yash Dhull and vice-captain SK Rasheed, have been tested positive for COVID-19 and are serving the isolation.

According to a Cricbuzz report, half a dozen players in the Indian camp have contracted the virus and it was not easy to field a proper XI for the second game of their ICC Under-19 World Cup campaign against Ireland on Wednesday (January 19).

Besides Dhull and Rasheed, Manav Parakh, Siddarth Yadav, Aaradhya Yadav and Vasu Vats have been reportedly put in isolation. The situation is so grim that the team management has had to send coaches to the field to give drinks to the players.

The Indian team, led by Nishant Sindhu, took the field against Ireland in Trinidad. The four-time champions were lucky that the ICC allowed a 17-member squad for the tournament, enabling them to field a playing XI despite the unavailability of so many first-choice players.  

"We understand that some players have come in close contact with Covid positive players and as a measure of precaution the players have been isolated. The fact that they are playing Ireland has helped the team management. The team wants to avoid risk ahead of the bigger games," a source in knowledge of the development told Cricbuzz.

The Indian team had defeated South Africa U-19 by 45 runs in their opening game last Saturday (January 19).

(With Cricbuzz inputs)