India- England five-match Test series in 2021 was hit by a COVID outbreak that forced the last Test to be postponed. The game that was scheduled for 10th September 2021 is now going to commence on July 1st, 2022.
Prior to the start of the series, Ravichandran Ashwin was infected by Covid-19 before the departure to England. A report has now revealed that Virat Kohli contracted Covid-19 after returning from his holiday in the Maldives, but the player has recovered. Despite his recovery, Kohli might be rested for the upcoming practice match in Leicestershire.
The source said, “Yes, Virat too was hit by Covid after returning from holidaying in the Maldives, but he’s recovered now,” a source was quoted as saying.”
The Indian head coach had called for an intense practice Test so Indian players could get to the grips with Test conditions but there could be a change in plans. Explaining the same, the source said, “This now means that India’s tour game against Leicestershire from June 24 won’t be as intense as coach Rahul Dravid wanted it to be since the medical advice is to not overload the players after they’ve suffered Covid-19.
The source also said that “There could be more Covid cases in the team,”.
India are to play one practice match against Leicestershire in Leicester on 24th June before their game against England on July 1. At the same time, the Indian 20-20 side would play a T20I warm-up match against Derbyshire on July 1 as well.
This Test match would mark the arrival of senior players in Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami, who were rested for the India- South Africa T20I series. Eyes would be set on Virat Kohli in expectation for his next century as he has not hit any since November 2019.
