'No good news at all, an absolute bummer' - Aakash Chopra on two positive COVID-19 cases in Indian contingent

Former Indian cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra stated that two positive cases in the Indian contingent are not good signs at all and its going to affect the team going ahead. BCCI informed that Rishabh Pant tested positive for the virus on July 08 and after that, throwdown specialist Dayanand Garani has also returned positive results. Hence both of them didn’t travel to Durham for the warm-up game.

Apart from these two members, bowling coach Bharat Arun, reserve batter Abhimanyu Easwaran, and Wriddhiman have been put under strict quarantine as they came in close contact with the affected members. Chopra feels that there would be issues for India now as they had to start their preparations from scratch after enduring such a long break.

Chopra added that the first match begins from August 04 and with limited days remaining, it would be tough for the infected members to gain back the form, especially after missing out on the warm-up game. Chopra stated that this development is especially not in favour of Easwaran as he might have been looking for his maiden call-up, the opportuning of which seems to fade now.  Also, Saha is suffering as he didn’t get to feature in the finale of WTC ahead of Rishabh Pant.

Aakash Chopra ponders over India’s problems ahead of ENG series

“With Bharat Arun, Wriddhiman Saha, and Bharat Arun currently in isolation, who is going to be at a loss? Saha… since he didn’t even play the last match. And even if Rishabh Pant comes out of isolation, Saha will have to spend another 10 days and that is now good news at all,” Chopra stated while speaking on his YouTube channel.

“Think about Abhimanyu Easwaran. He is travelling with the team for the first time and now that Shubman Gill is out injured, chances of him playing increased. But he too will have to now spend another 10 days alone. It will now end on 25th and that is only a week away from the Test match -which is an absolute bummer,” Chopra added while speaking ahead of India’s warm-up game.