R Ashwin, who missed last week’s flight to the UK with the Test team, will be in England soon. He is anticipated to join the team in Leicester before the four-day exhibition match against the county that starts on June 24, the BCCI is making preparations for the same. Although he will miss the game.
A senior BCCI Official told “Yes, Ashwin has completed his quarantine. He is fine health-wise. We are making arrangements for a flight and he should join the squad in Leicester on June 23-24. Last-minute arrangements are being chalked out”
It is learned that Jayant Yadav was kept on standby in case Ashwin’s recovery period would be too long. The spinner from Haryana was invited to the NCA in Bangalore. That option has been discarded, though, as Ashwin is anticipated to leave within the next 24 hours, most likely on Wednesday (June 24)
Two days prior to Team India’s departure, last week, Ashwin tested positive in a pre-departure COVID test. His quarantine period ended on Tuesday. Earlier a senior BCCI official had informed that “Ashwin hasn’t traveled with the squad to the UK as he has tested positive for Covid 19 before departure. But we are hopeful that he will recover well in time before the Test match starts on July 1”
KL Rahul will miss the Test due to a groin injury, but neither the BCCI nor the selectors have selected a substitute. He will travel to Germany for treatment, as was previously reported. Apart from the Test, Rahul was selected vice-captain for the England tour, which would include three T20Is and three ODIs. As of yet, the selectors have not chosen a new vice-captain.
The remainder of the team has already arrived in Leicester and has begun practicing under the direction of batting coach Vikram Rathour and bowling coach Paras Mhambrey.
Following their T20 match against South Africa, Rahul Dravid, Rishabh Pant, and Shreyas Iyer left for London and have arrived in Leicester on Tuesday.
