Team India are slated to play the rescheduled fifth Test against England at Edgbaston from July 1. The Rohit Sharma-led group has already arrived in England and begun their preparations for the one-off Test.

However, a TOI report claims that India’s preparations have been hit by COVID-19 as some of the players have returned positive results.

While senior off-spinner R Ashwin couldn’t travel to UK with his India teammates last week after testing positive for COVID-19, it is now being reported that former skipper Virat Kohli too was struck by the virus after the team landed in London.

See Also: R Ashwin to join Indian squad in a couple of days after recovering from COVID - Report

"Yes, Virat too was hit by Covid after returning from holidaying in Maldives, but he's recovered now," TOI quoted a source as saying.

Team India are due to play a four-day warm-up game against Leicestershire from June 24.

"This now means that India's tour game against Leicestershire from June 24 won't be as intense as coach Rahul Dravid wanted it to be, since the medical advice is to not overload the players after they've suffered Covid-19. There could be more Covid cases in the team," the source further said.

The visitors are leading the series 2-1 and would be looking to win or draw the Test to clinch the Pataudi Trophy. India took an unassailable lead under the leadership of Virat Kohli last year but now they will be led by Rohit Sharma.

(With TOI inputs)