New Delhi: The Indian cricket team has suffered a major setback ahead of the three-match ODI series against South Africa. Star all-rounder Washington Sundar, who was set to make a comeback after being ruled out due to injury, has now reportedly tested positive for coronavirus. His participation in the India vs South Africa ODI series has now turned dark and the BCCI may announce his replacement soon. India has to play the first ODI against South Africa on 19 January.
“He tested positive a few days back and it has been decided that he will not travel with the team,” a BCCI official said. cricbuzz,
The Indian ODI team will fly to South Africa on January 12. Sundar’s participation in the upcoming India vs South Africa ODI series is in doubt as the all-rounder has unfortunately contracted the dreaded infection.
“I have nothing to comment on, I’ll get back to you soon,” Washington Sundar told Cricbuzz on Tuesday, January 11, when asked if he had tested positive for COVID-19 or No.
Sundar’s exit from the ODI series against Proteas comes as a major setback for the Indian team as all-rounders like Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja are not already part of the squad that toured South Africa.
Rohit Sharma is yet to recover from his injury and hence is not a part of India’s ODI squad. In the absence of Rohit, KL Rahul has been made the captain of the team.
The first two matches of the ODI series are scheduled to be played on January 19 and 21 at Boland Park in Paarl, while the third one-day match will be played on January 23 at Newlands, Cape Town.
India’s 18-man squad India vs South Africa ODI series: KL Rahul (C), Shikhar Dhawan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Venkatesh Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Ishan Kishan, R Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Deepak Chahar , Prasidh Krishna, Shardul Thakur, Md. Siraj
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