India head coach Ravi Shastri has tested positive for COVID-19 in the confirmatory RT-PCR test as well and will remain in isolation for at least the next 10 days, ruling him out of the team's fifth and final Test against England, starting in Manchester on Friday, September 10.
The 59-year-old Shastri returned positive in a lateral flow test (Rapid Antigen Test) on Sunday and on Monday, his RT-PCR test report confirmed the infection. The fifth and final Test is scheduled to start on September 10.
"After testing positive in two lateral flow test, Shastri has also returned a positive result in RT-PCR test. He has mild symptoms like sore throat. He will undergo 10 days of isolation," a BCCI source said.
"Since the Test match starts on September 10, Shastri will not be accompanying the team as his isolation period will only get over after the last Test gets over," the source said.
Three support staff members were also isolated after being deemed his close contacts. They are bowling coach Bharath Arun, fielding coach Ramakrishnan Sridhar and physiotherapist Nitin Patel.
It is learnt from sources that even the trio won't be travelling to Manchester for the final game but that was already pre-decided.
"Look, being close contacts, Arun, Sridhar and Nitin will have to undergo five-day isolation. But in any case, they were not travelling to Manchester for the final Test. In Manchester, the BCCI is creating a separate IPL bubble for the cricketers as there will be bubble to bubble transfer on September 15. It was pre-decided," a senior BCCI source added.
It is expected that all the three coaches will be in touch with captain Virat Kohli and batting coach Vikram Rathour, who will be in charge of the team during this period.
"As far as physio is concerned, the team has back-up in Yogesh Parmar with the two trainers Nick (Webb) and Soham (Desai). Three masseurs (Rajeev Kumar, Arun Kanade and Dayanand Garani -- also a throwdown specialist) are there for recovery," he informed.
It is understood that Shastri may have developed the symptoms either during his book release function few evenings back or while using a common lift that players use at the stadium along with the VIP guests which has a minimum traffic of 5000 people.
The playing members had tested negative in two lateral flow tests conducted on Saturday evening and Sunday morning.
All the players and the support staff are fully vaccinated.
