Team India Head Coach Rahul Dravid has tested negative for COVID-19 and has joined the team in Dubai. Interim coach, Mr VVS Laxman who was present with the team in Mr. Dravid’s absence, has returned to Bengaluru to oversee the India A programme.
A top BCCI official has confirmed to Sportstar that Dravid’s latest RT-PCR reports have returned negative and he is expected to join the team as early as possible.
However, it needs to be seen whether he can make it to Dubai ahead of India’s opening fixture against Pakistan on Sunday.
“Yes, Rahul has recovered and will be joining the team in Dubai at the earliest. The logistics team is working quickly to get things sorted,” a Board official said.
Dravid had mild symptoms and tested positive ahead of the team’s scheduled departure to the UAE earlier this week.
In his absence, the BCCI had announced VVS Laxman as the interim head coach. The team has been training under the watchful eyes of Laxman over the last few days.
Ever since taking over as India’s head coach last year, this will be Dravid ‘s first assignment as the coach in a major big-ticket tournament.
Even if Dravid reaches Dubai and joins the team, Laxman is expected to stay back for a few more days before flying back to Bengaluru. “For now, VVS will be with the team. Once Dravid checks in, the future course of action will be decided,” a Board insider said.
While BCCI secretary Jay Shah is already in the UAE, some other Board office-bearers - including president Sourav Ganguly - are expected to be present for Sunday’s India vs Pakistan encounter.
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