Reports: Suryakumar Yadav and Prithvi Shaw must return with three negative COVID-19 tests for their England departure

Suryakumar Yadav and Prithvi Shaw, who are currently in Sri Lanka under isolation, have to return three negative RT-PCR tests before they board the flight to England. The duo was told to be isolated by the Indian team management since they were in close contact with all-rounder Krunal Pandya who had tested positive for COVID-19 before the second T20I against Sri Lanka. Apart from Shaw and Yadav, six members are in isolation in Colombo.

Earlier, it was reported that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are planning to announce further replacements for Shaw and Yadav, since the England government’s strict norms might not allow both the players fit in time to play the five-match Test series against England starting on August 4.

But a late decision from the BCCI has ensured that Shaw and Yadav will travel to the United Kingdom as the original replacement players to Shubman Gill, Avesh Khan, and Washington Sundar.

As per a report in The Indian Express, the BCCI is making all the possible arrangements for Shaw and Yadav to be with the Indian team for the high-octane Test series against England. But the duo will have to mandatorily undergo three COVID-19 tests and return negative each time to get into the flight. Both Shaw and Yadav didn’t feature in the remaining two T20 games as India lost the series 2-1 to Sri Lanka.

India gearing up to face England during the Test series

Meanwhile, the countdown to the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle begins as India will begin their five-match series against England. With points up for grabs and a fresh cycle of two years from 2021-23, both teams will be eager to start the series on a winning note. Considering how crucial a win is during such a long series, India will hope their batting and bowling unit click.

There is good news for the Indian team as vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane returned to practice after suffering an injury to his left hamstring. He returned to the training and was seen batting with the other members. If Rahane is not fit in time, then India has KL Rahul and Hanuma Vihari as the backup options.