There Was A Bit Of Distraction In Indian Team After Ravi Shastri's News Broke Out: Vikram Rathour

Team India batting coach Vikram Rathour on Sunday said there was a bit of distraction in the Indian camp when the news of head coach Ravi Shastri testing COVID-19 positive broke out.

Shastri tested positive for the dreadful virus after he went through a lateral flow test. The 59-year-old coach along with three other support staff members were isolated by the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) medical team.

A lot of credit goes to the boys for the way they handled themselves: Vikram Rathour

Rathour, who was the only one amongst the senior coaching staff unit to have not to get isolated, said the Indian players really did well and focus on their performance by not getting distracted much from the recent developments.

“But this is what it is. That’s the fact that they are not here. So, it was in the morning, I think, a bit of a distraction, we had a word, we spoke, (and) decided that we need to focus on what is in hand, which is cricket,” Rathour said in a virtual press conference. 

“There was a potential that we can (be) distracted from the situation that happened last night, but a lot of credit goes to the boys, the way they handled themselves and the way we played as a team,” he added.

Ravi Shastri was having a little bit of discomfort on Saturday night: Vikram Rathour

Rathour also mentioned Shastri’s discomfort on Saturday after which the test was conducted and the close contacts were identified.

“I would not know the exact time, but it was last night around 8 in the night. He was having a little bit of discomfort yesterday, so the medical team decided to go for a lateral-pro test and it came positive and that is when we heard that he is positive and I think, the close contacts were identified and isolated, so we will wait for the medical team when they can join back,” he added.

Ahead of the fourth Test, Shastri attended a launch event of his own book ‘Star Gazing: The Players in My Life’ where even Indian team skipper Virat Kohli was present.

After a late blazing of runs from India’s lower-middle order on the fourth day, the visitors put a total of 466 in the second innings to set Joe Root and his team a target of 367.

In response, England openers remained firm at the crease as they scored 77 without adding any loss and need 291 runs more to win the match.

Also Read: England vs India 2021: I Do Not Think We Have Arrived At That Point Where Ajinkya Rahane’s Form Should Become A Concern, Says Vikram Rathour