Rishabh Pant: Indian cricketer in UK for series against England tests positive for Covid

Pant has reportedly been in home isolation for last eight days and will not travel with team to Durham

Akshita Jain
Thursday 15 July 2021 10:28 BST
Comments
File: Rishabh Pant leaves the pitch on the final day of the ICC World Test Championship Final on 23 June, 2021
File: Rishabh Pant leaves the pitch on the final day of the ICC World Test Championship Final on 23 June, 2021 (AFP via Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A member of the Indian cricket team currently touring England has tested positive for Covid-19, and is isolating at an acquaintance's home.

The player has been identified as Rishabh Pant by several Indian media reports citing sources. A source from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) told news agency PTI that the player has been in isolation for the last eight days.

He will not travel with the team to Durham, where the rest of the team are due to enter a so-called “bio-bubble”, restricting their access to and contact with people outside the team and staff. The Indian team is scheduled to play a tour game against Select County XI from 20 July.

India and England then begin a five-match Test series starting 4 August.

Pant was tested after he experienced a sore throat, sources told The Indian Express. Other teammates and support staff who came in contact with him were kept in isolation for three days, it said.

The Indian players were on a 20-day break after the World Test Championship final which ended on 23 June.

BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla told PTI that other players haven’t been affected because the infected player was not staying in the same hotel as the team, though he did not refer to Pant by name.

He also said that BCCI secretary Jay Shah has written a letter to all players to urge them to maintain protocols.

In his letter, Mr Shah had reportedly warned the players about the rising number of Covid-19 cases in the UK and advised them to avoid crowded places.

This comes after the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed last week that seven members — three players and four staff members — of the England team tested positive for coronavirus.

Other players were deemed close contacts and told to isolate. England named an entirely new squad for their limited-overs series against Pakistan.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in