India coach Ravi Shastri had tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday in London ahead of day four of the ongoing fourth Test match at the Oval between England and India. Now it has been reported that his confirmatory RT-PCR test has also come positive for the virus.
PTI reported that Ravi Shastri has tested COVID positive in the confirmatory RT-PCR test as well and will remain in isolation for at least the next 10 days. This means he will not be part of the India dressing room for the fifth and final Test against England in Manchester this week.
"After testing positive in two lateral flow test, Shastri has also returned a positive result in RT-PCR test. He has mild symptoms like sore throat. He will undergo 10 days of isolation," a BCCI source informed PTI on conditions of anonymity.
Shastri’s lateral flow test came positive for the deadly virus on Saturday which led to him being put into isolation along with India fielding coach R Sridhar, bowling coach B Arun and physio Nitin Patel who were his close contacts.
Shastri is likely to have got the symptoms after attending the launch of his book in the team hotel where outside guests were also allowed.
As per Sportsmail reports, Ravi Shastri, along with other members of the Indian contingent had attended a book launch event without consulting with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), which was held at the St James’ Court hotel in Victoria on Tuesday night.
The attendees included India captain Virat Kohli and other members of the squad. Outsiders were also allowed to attend the event as well.
Fortunately, none of the India players, who are all fully vaccinated, from the entire squad tested positive for the virus after undergoing two flow tests, one on Saturday night and another on Sunday morning, which enabled the ECB to continue with the fourth day’s play at the Oval.
It has also been reported that ECB is surprised that the touring India party chose to put themselves in such a vulnerable position, with London recording over 21,000 positive Covid cases last week.
(Sportsmail/PTI inputs)
