Former India cricketer VVS Laxman has joined the Indian cricket team in Dubai ahead of the upcoming Asia Cup as interim head coach in the absence of Rahul Dravid, who has missed the flight to the UAE after being down with COVID-19.
“Mr Laxman, who travelled with the Indian team that played the ODI series in Zimbabwe will oversee the team’s preparation in the absence of Mr. Rahul Dravid, who tested positive for COVID-19 before the team’s departure to the UAE. Mr Dravid will join the team once he tests negative and is cleared by the BCCI medical team,” the BCCI secretary Jay Shah said in a statement.
Laxman, who was in-charge of India’s ODI team in Zimbabwe, has joined the camp in the UAE along with OPENER KL Rahul, Deepak Hooda and Avesh Khan. Notably, the trio were also part of the Zimbabwe tour.
Earlier on Tuesday, head coach Dravid had tested positive for Covid-19, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed on Tuesday.
Issuing a statement, board’s secretary Jay Shah on tuesday said that Dravid will join the Indian team once he tests negative for Covid-19.
“Team India Head Coach Rahul Dravid has tested positive for COVID-19 in a routine test conducted ahead of the team’s departure to the UAE for Asia Cup 2022,” the statement said.
“Mr. Dravid is under the supervision of the BCCI Medical team and has mild symptoms. He will join the team once he returns with a negative COVID-19 report. The rest of the team will assemble in UAE on 23rd August, 2022,” it added.
Recently, Dravid had not travelled with the Indian ODI team for the Zimbabwe tour and in his absence, former India great VVS Laxman had taken over the coaching roles. The KL Rahul-led Team India outclassed hosts Zimbabwe 3-0 in the three-match ODI series.
Notably, Dravid, along with batting coach Vikram Rathour and bowling coach Paras Mhambrey were given rest ahead of the big tournament and all trio were supposed to link up with India’s Asia Cup squad in Dubai.
India are to open their campaign on August 28 with the high-octane clash against arch-rivals Pakistan.