6 India U-19 Players Including Captain Yash Dhull & Vice-Captain SK Rasheed Test Positive For Covid-19

Six players of the India U-19 team including skipper Yash Dhull have been affected by the dreaded Covid-19 virus and put into isolation. The development was confirmed after a second-string India XI took the field for their U-19 game against Ireland on Wednesday In Trinidad. India earned a comfortable win in their first game against South Africa but are now in serious problem with the Covid scare.

Along with Dhull and Rasheed, Manav Parakh, Siddarth Yadav, Aaradhya Yadav and Vasu Vats have been asked to stay in isolation at the moment. Incidentally, due to the lack of players, the team management is forced to send their support staff to carry drinks for the players.

Covid-19 Hits India U-19 Camp

“We understand that some players have come in close contact with Covid positive players and as a measure of precaution the players have been isolated. The fact that they are playing Ireland has helped the team management. The team wants to avoid risk ahead of the bigger games,” a source close to the Indian team told Cricbuzz.

Nishant Sindhu is currently leading the India U-19 team against Ireland at the moment. Ireland won the toss and opted to bowl, a decision that backfired for the team.

Indian openers Angkrish Raghuvanshi (79) and Harnoor Singh (88) added a 164-run stand for the first wicket. Raj Bawa and Sindhu himself is carrying on the good work and looking to take the team score close to 300 in the final overs.

The ICC chief executive Geoff Allardice has addressed the media before the start of the ICC event on being lenient with the bio-bubble rules for the youngsters.

“We have to be flexible and nimble with the schedule. Our focus has been to make this event happen. You will probably get positive tests at some stage. We will be flexible. It is not going to be that one positive case and stop them (the tournament). We are going to be as pragmatic as possible with the aim to complete the tournament. We are running and managing an environment which is not a strict bubble. We are taking precautions with the players. We will try and keep them as isolated as possible. It is a balance between risk of catching virus and freedom the young people will be looking for to enjoy the atmosphere of the Under 19 World Cup” he had said.

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