Reports: Axar Patel becomes fifth Indian player to test positive for COVID-19 ahead of West Indies ODIs

In what can be called another major blow for the Indian team, Axar Patel has been tested positive for COVID-19 virus. The all-rounder isn’t the part of the upcoming ODI series against West Indies due to fitness reasons but was picked in the T20I squad. However, dark clouds are now looming over his participation. It must be noted that as many as four Indian players, who are part of the ODI squad, have returned with positive results.

This list includes Shikhar Dhawan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer and Navdeep Saini (stand by). Hence, Axar is the fifth confirmed Indian player contracting the virus. Unlike the quartet, however, Axar hadn’t entered the team bubble yet as he was due to participate in the subsequent T20I series only.

Axar Patel hadn’t entered the bio-bubble

Meanwhile, this major development was reported by Times Now.  It must be noted that Axar had missed the preceding tour of South Africa due to injury concerns. With Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya being unavailable, the southpaw was expected to fill the all-rounder’s spot in the T20I team. However, his participation is now uncertain.

Meanwhile, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have confirmed the developments of COVID entering the Indian team bio-bubble. The All-India Senior Selection Committee has also added Mayank Agarwal to the ODI squad and the batter is all but likely to feature in all matches. Meanwhile, multiple players from the support staff have also returned with positive results.

Meanwhile, the BCCI Medical team is handling the positive cases and they will remain in isolation till complete recovery is attained. BCCI also stated that the series will be played as per schedule. All the three ODIs will be played at the Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad between February 6 and 12. As far as the T20I leg is concerned, all three games will take place at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, starting from February 15.

It must be noted that all six matches were initially planned to take place at different venues. However, the location was reduced to two amid the pandemic issues.