Now, BCCI has named opener Mayank Agarwal as a replacement player after numerous players tested positive for COVID. BCCI in its official release stated, "The All-India Senior Selection Committee has added Mayank Agarwal to India’s ODI squad after seven members, including three players of Team India (Senior Men) tested positive for COVID-19 following three rounds of RT-PCR testing."
The members were asked to report in Ahmedabad on 31st January 2022 for the upcoming Paytm three-match ODI and T20I series against the West Indies. Every member was also asked to undergo an RT-PCR test at home before embarking on their journey to Ahmedabad and the travel was undertaken only after testing negative.
As per the BCCI, Shikhar Dhawan and fast bowler Navdeep Saini’s (standby player) RT-PCR tests conducted on Monday (January 31st) have returned positive results. Then, Ruturaj Gaikwad’s RT-PCR test conducted on Tuesday (February 1st) has returned a positive result. However, Gaikwad had tested negative during the first round of testing on Monday. Furthermore, Shreyas Iyer RT-PCR tests conducted on Wednesday (February 2nd) have returned positive results. Iyer tested negative in the first two rounds of testing.
Apart from Shikhar Dhawan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer and Navdeep Saini other staff members who have tested positive for COVID include Fielding Coach T. Dilip and Security Liaison Officer B. Lokesh, Sports Massage Therapist Rajeev Kumar.
BCCI Secretary Jay Shah in an official release stated that the medical team is handling the positive cases and they will remain in isolation till complete recovery is attained.
India vs West Indies
Team India is all set to lock horns with West Indies in a three matches ODI and three matches T20 series slated to take place from February 6. The series will kickstart 50 overs format. All the ODIs are scheduled to be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad while the three T20Is will be played at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) confirmed that the upcoming three-match ODI series between India and West Indies will be played behind closed doors while the West Bengal government has permitted the Eden Gardens to have 75 percent attendance for the T20I series in Kolkata. It is pertinent to mention here that the Indian vs West Indies ODI series may get postponed if any more COVID cases emerge from the Men In Blue camp as reported by Inside Sports.