Asia Cup 2022: Rahul Dravid recovers from COVID-19, expected to join Indian camp before Pakistan clash

In what can be called a sigh of relief for Team India, head coach Rahul Dravid has reportedly recovered from COVID-19 and is expected to join the team ahead of their opening match of Asia Cup 2022 against Pakistan. The arch-rivals will be locking horns at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday (August 28). With Dravid being an important figure in the Indian dressing room, his presence would be a great boost for the Men in Blue.

For the unversed, Dravid tested positive for the virus of August 23 and hence, didn’t join the Indian team in UAE. In his absence, VVS Laxman was named the interim head coach of the side. Nevertheless, as per the latest developments, Dravid returned with a negative COVID test on Saturday which makes him eligible to join the camp.

“Rahul test results has come negative and he is fit to fly,” a BCCI official was quoted as saying by The Indian Express. Earlier, BCCI secretary Jay Shah released a statement, confirming that the Indian head coach contracted the virus and had mild symptoms.

“Team India Head Coach Rahul Dravid has tested positive for COVID-19 in a routine test conducted ahead of the team’s departure to the UAE for Asia Cup 2022. Dravid is under the supervision of the BCCI Medical team and has mild symptoms. He will join the team once he returns with a negative COVID-19 report,” Shah stated in the release.

Team India aiming to settle scores against Babar Azam’s men

Meanwhile, stakes would be incredibly high in the contest with the two Asian giants being arch-rivals. Moreover, the Men in Blue would be eyeing redemption, having suffered a humiliating 10-wicket loss when these two sides locked horns in last year’s T20 World Cup. It was also Pakistan’s first-ever win over their neighbours in a World Cup clash.

While both sides have been impressive in their recent T20I assignments, they’ll miss services of their respective pace spearheads – Jasprit Bumrah and Shaheen Afridi – who are unavailable due to injuries.