India head coach Ravi Shastri has tested positive for Covid-19 and is isolating alongside three other members of the backroom team.
Shastri returned a positive lateral flow test on Saturday evening – day three of the ongoing LV= Insurance Test at the Kia Oval – and has not travelled to the ground for day four.
He is now awaiting the results of a PCR test, alongside bowling coach Bharat Arun, fielding coach Ramakrishnan Sridhar and physiotherapist Nitin Patel.
The remainder of the squad were cleared to report for duty after two separate lateral flow tests, one on Saturday night and one on Sunday morning.
A statement from the Board of Control for Cricket in India read: “The BCCI Medical Team has isolated Mr Ravi Shastri, Head Coach, Mr B. Arun, Bowling Coach, Mr R. Sridhar, Fielding Coach and Mr Nitin Patel, Physiotherapist as a precautionary measure after Mr Shastri’s lateral flow test returned positive last evening.
“They have undergone RT-PCR testing and shall remain in the team hotel and not travel with Team India until confirmation from the medical team.”
The England and Wales Cricket Board is aware of the situation and has been approached for comment. The PA news agency understands the only interactions between the sides have been on the field of play, with no shared areas at the ground and separate hotel arrangements.
