ENG vs IND: BCCI mulls over naming replacements for Prithvi Shaw and Suryakumar Yadav

If reports are to be believed, BCCI is considering naming further replacements of Suryakumar Yadav and Prithvi Shaw for the England series. The players were called to join the Indian squad after Shubman Gill and Washington Sundar sustained injuries ahead of the series. However, with them being identified as close contacts to Krunal Pandya who tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, their travel plans have been put to rest for some time. A top BCCI official spoke on the possibility of naming further replacements.

“We can’t say anything with certainty at this stage. We have to observe them for next couple of days to decide – whether to announce new replacements or not,” the BCCI official was quoted by InsideSports.

Even if they are allowed to travel, the players won’t be available for the first two Tests. Both Shaw and Yadav had a fantastic ODI series against Sri Lanka. They were all set to leave for England after the T20I series but won't be able to board the flight to the UK anytime soon now.

As per the COVID-19 protocols in England, the players need to serve 10 days in isolation before arriving in England which means that the duo will only be able to depart after August 7. Post landing in England, they will again have to serve 10 days in isolation and will only be able to join the squad on August 22, three days before the third Test.