SL vs IND: Prithvi Shaw, Suryakumar Yadav likely to miss second T20I after being identified as close contacts to Krunal Pandya

The T20I series between Sri Lanka and India was hit by a COVID scare as Krunal Pandya tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday (27 July). Consequently, the match had to be postponed by a day to July 28. As many as eight players, including Suryakumar Yadav and Prithvi Shaw were identified as close contacts to the all-rounder and now seem in doubt to play the second T20I.

Hardik Pandya, wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan, Devdutt Padikkal, and Krishnappa Gowtham are the other remaining players who have been in close touch with the senior Pandya. 

The entire squad was tested for COVID-19 and fortunately has delivered negative results, raising hopes of the second T20I going ahead as planned. 

“Hopefully the match could be played today,” Cricbuzz quoted a top SLC official

After completing the Sri Lanka series, Yadav and Shaw will travel to England for the team’s five-match Test series starting on August 04. However, this untimely COVID-19 positive news of Krunal has put their travel plans and their subsequent participation in the series in doubt. It is understood that the players may have to delay their departure to England and serve certain days in isolation.

“As it is, whether the players leave now or after a couple of days, they won’t be able to join the team (in England) in time for the first two Tests and, now, in fact, even the third doesn’t look possible. There’s mandatory quarantine after flying to England and, it’ll take time before they can join the team there.”