The Indian cricket team has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, when 4 players screened positive for the virus, including opening batsmen Shikhar Dhawan and Ruturaj Gaikwad, middle-order batsman Shreya Iyer, and bowler Navdeep Saini, during their strictly enforced isolation period well before the beginning of the West Indies series. Here is why they added Mayank Agarwal in India camp

Despite the viral outbreak, Mayank Agarwal was included in India’s ODI team for the series. The Indian squad arrived in Ahmedabad on January 31 for the forthcoming white-ball series versus the West Indies, having completed a 3-day break after the South Africa series.

Every member also asked to undergo an RT-PCR test at home: BCCI

Mayank Agarwal in India camp :

“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 BCCI stated in a press release.

“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,” it added.

“Opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan and fast bowler Navdeep Saini’s (standby player) RT-PCR tests conducted on Monday (January 31st) have returned positive results,” BCCI stated.

“Fielding Coach T. Dilip and Security Liaison Officer . B Lokesh’s RT-PCR tests conducted on Monday (January 31st) have returned positive results,” the board wrote.

“Batsman Ruturaj Gaikwad’s RT-PCR test conducted on Tuesday (February 1st) has returned a positive result. He had tested negative during the first round of testing on Monday,” it added.

“Batsman Shreyas Iyer and Sports Massage Therapist Rajeev Kumar’s RT-PCR tests conducted on Wednesday (February 2nd) have returned positive results. Both had tested negative in the first two rounds of testing.”

The series kicks off on February 6 in Ahmedabad featuring India’s 1000th ODI. According to the BCCI, the cricketers who came back positive for Covid will be isolated until they recovered completely.