Prithvi Shaw and Suryakumar Yadav set to leave for England after testing COVID negative

Prithvi Shaw and Suryakumar Yadav have been cleared to travel to the UK to join the Indian squad for the five-match Test series against the ‘Three Lions’. The players were forced into isolation after being identified as close contacts to Krunal Pandya who tested positive for COVID -19. With all the COVID-19 restrictions in England, at one point, their England campaign looked like over as several reports of BCCI thinking about naming further replacements started doing rounds. However, the news turned out to be mere rumours.

The players have returned COVID-19 negative and are set to board the flight to the UK within 24 hours. Both Prithvi Shaw and Suryakumar Yadav were called as replacements after Subhuman Gill and Washington Sundar were ruled out of the England tour due to injuries.

“They are waiting for their visas. Because of the two holidays (Saturday and Sunday), they could not receive the same through the United Kingdom Embassy office in Sri Lanka. The travel agent has been following up the matter and it is hoped they would leave within 24 hours to join Team India in England”, One of the sources told Deccan Chronicle.

Suryakumar Yadav and Prithvi Shaw will have to serve certain days in isolation before they are allowed to join the squad. The players most likely won’t be available for the first two Tests. Along with Pandya, Yuzvendra Chahal and Krunal Pandya also returned positive for the virus. The three players are still in Sri Lanka and will be allowed to leave the Sri Lankan shores only after returning COVID negative.  The first Test between England and India will be played in Nottingham from August 4.