Shikhar Dhawan and Shreyas Iyer will start training today, Ruturaj Gaikwad is still in isolation
After testing negative for COVID-19, Shikhar Dhawan and Shreyas Iyer have begun light training. The duo, along with Ruturaj Gaikwad, Navdeep Saini, and four other support staff members, were tested positive ahead of India’s ODI series against West Indies. On Sunday (February 6), they were sent to isolation and missed the first game.
The second ODI, which takes place on Wednesday (February 9), is still without Dhawan and Iyer. In spite of this, they have resumed training at the Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad, where all of the ODIs will be held. BCCI’s medical team is monitoring their condition. Nevertheless, Gaikwad remains in isolation.
In accordance with the protocol, both Shreyas and Shikhar are permitted to light training. The BCCI’s medical team will monitor them before a decision is made on their availability, a BCCI source said, suggesting the Board may not want to rush things.
In the opening ODI, Rohit Sharma’s side didn’t miss the absent players much. The West Indies were skittled out for a paltry 176 at the venue while batting first. Indian bowlers crossed the line in just 28 overs, securing the match by six wickets. As a result, the Men in Blue now lead the three-match series 1-0.
KL Rahul, who was unavailable for the first game, is now in the team for the second ODI. Mayank Agarwal, his Karnataka teammate, is also available for selection. Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan opened in the first ODI. Rahul, however, looks likely to open the batting in the second encounter.
“Mayank and Rahul’s return after quarantine strengthens our team. Ultimately, it is up to the team management to decide who will play. We are glad to have them back,” batter Suryakumar Yadav said on the eve of the second ODI.
