India’s Under-19 captain Yash Dhull, vice-captain Shaik Rasheed, and four other squad members – Aaradhya Yadav, Vasu Vats, Manav Parakh and Siddarth Yadav – have tested positive for Covid-19. They have been put in isolation and were forced to miss their Group B match of the ongoing World Cup against Ireland. India were left with exactly 11 fit players and without a substitute.
A BCCI official explained the development to PTI: ‘Three Indian players had tested positive yesterday and were already isolated. In the morning before match, our captain and vice-captain also tested positive in Rapid Antigen Test which is not conclusive. So they, as a precautionary measure, were pulled out. We only had 11 available players and six isolated.’
🚨 UPDATE 🚨: India Under 19 – Medical Update
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 19, 2022
The India U19 squad currently taking part in the ICC Under 19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2022 have reported COVID-19 positive cases following RT-PCR and Rapid Antigen Tests. #BoysInBlue #U19CWC
Details 🔽
In Dhull’s absence, Nishant Sindhu was named India’s captain against Ireland. Due to a lack of available players, the coaches had to serve drinks during India’s innings.
The World Cup fixtures can be rescheduled if needed.