Reports: Shreyas Iyer, Shikhar Dhawan and Ruturaj Gaikwad test positive for COVID-19 ahead of West Indies ODIs

In what can be called a major development, as many as eight Indian players including Shreyas Iyer, Shikhar Dhawan and Ruturaj Gaikwad have tested for COVID-19 virus upon their arrival in Ahmedabad. The trio are the part of Indian squad taking on West Indies in the three-match ODI series, starting from February 6. However, dark clouds are now looming over their participation and it would be interesting how the series will unfold.

The last couple of years have seen many series and tournaments being cancelled due to COVID-19 issues. As the virus has entered the Indian camp, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) faces an uphill task of conducting the games as per schedule. As Dhawan, Iyer and Gaikwad were sharing the bio-bubble with other members of Indian squad, the players, detected close to the trio, would also undergo isolation.

Meanwhile, this major report was carried out by Sportstar. The reporter further suggested that BCCI medical team is monitoring the situation and the board is expected to announce replacements shortly. Now, the ouster of this trio is a major blow for the home team, at least for the opening ODI. Regular vice-captain KL Rahul is unavailable for the first ODI.

The trio’s ouster puts Team India in a spot of bother

With Dhawan and Gaikwad being the other openers in the squad, it remains to be seen who opens alongside skipper Rohit Sharma in the opening game. As far as Shreyas Iyer is concerned, there are several middle-order batters, if available, who can accommodate for his place in the batting order.

Meanwhile, India is scheduled to play the first of three ODIs at the Narendra Modi Stadium on February 6. The ODI leg will be followed by three T20Is, which are scheduled to take place at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, starting on February 16.

India’s current squad for West Indies ODIs: Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (Vice-captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Avesh Khan