IND vs WI: Axar Patel Tests COVID-19 Positive- Reports

Indian all-rounder Axar Patel is reportedly said to have contracted the COVID-19 virus. Axar is not with the Indian team yet as he is only selected for the T20I squad and not the ODI squad against West Indies.

According to a report by Times Now, Axar Patel tested positive for COVID-19. The Gujarat all-rounder is the fifth player from the Indian team to have contracted the contagious virus.

Axar Patel has time to recover from COVID-19

Earlier on Wednesday, seven members of the Indian contingent returned positive for the COVID-19 virus. Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Navdeep Saini (standby player) are the four players who have contracted the virus after three rounds of testing.

Apart from the players, fielding coach T Dilip, security liaison officer B Lokesh and massage therapist Rajeev Kumar have also been infected with the contagious virus. All the members who tested positive for COVID-19 are isolated on a different floor in the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Ahmedabad.

Axar had missed the South Africa tour due to some injury and was expected to play a key role against the Windies in Ravindra Jadeja’s absence.

However, he will have time to recover before the start of T20I series, which is sceduled to commence on February 16.

India-West Indies ODIs to be played behind close doors

The Gujarat State Cricket Association has decided to hold the complete ODI series between India and West Indies behind closed doors.

“We are all set to host the West Indies Tour of India ODI Series 2022. 1st ODI on the 6th of Feb will be a very special and historic match as India will be playing its 1000th ODI. The Indian team will be the first cricket team in the world to achieve this feat. Considering the current situation, all the matches will be played behind closed doors,” the state cricket association tweeted on Wednesday.

The West Indies team, which is coming from Barbados with a 3-2 T20I series win over England, is also put under quarantine in the same hotel where the Indian team is accommodated.

Also Read: IND vs WI: “Don’t Think He Will Be Too Successful As An All-Rounder”-Madan Lal On Venkatesh Iyer