Indian cricket team’s head coach Rahul Dravid has got tested positive for COVID-19, making it difficult for him to be there during the Asia Cup. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) press release confirming the news said: “Team India head coach Rahul Dravid has tested positive for COVID-19 in a routine test conducted before the team’s departure to UAE for the Asia Cup 2022.
“Mr. Dravid is under the supervision of the BCCI Medical team and has mild symptoms. He will join the team once he returns with a negative COVID-19 report. The rest of the team will assemble in UAE on 23rd August 2022.”
In his absence, National Cricket Academy (NCA) director VVS Laxman could have taken charge of the Indian team. This will not be the first time Laxman has stood up for Dravid. The former Indian batsman took charge of the Indian team during his away T20I assignment in Ireland. He was also in charge during the recently concluded ODI series in Zimbabwe, in which India won 3-0.
After being quarantined, Dravid will take over the command of the team. The Asia Cup will begin on August 27 in the UAE and end on September 11. India will start their campaign against Pakistan in the first match on 28 August and play their second match against the Qualifiers on 31 August.