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India to travel for Asia Cup without head coach Rahul Dravid

The 49-year-old is under the supervision of the BCCI Medical team and has mild symptoms

India to travel for Asia Cup without head coach Rahul Dravid PHOTO: BCCI

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. 

As per BCCI, the 49-year-old 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 Indian head coach was supposed to travel to Dubai on Tuesday, August 23 but his positive test has put his availability for the Asia Cup in jeopardy, at least for the initial stages of the tournament. 

In his absence, VVS Laxman, the director of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) could take charge of the Indian team. This won't be the first time that Laxman has stood in for Dravid. The former Indian batter took charge of the Indian team during their away T20I assignment in Ireland and was also in charge during the recently concluded ODI series in Zimbabwe, which India won 3-0. 

Meanwhile, the rest of the team will assemble in UAE on 23rd August, 2022.

Dravid will take charge of the team once he recovers. The Asia Cup will begin in the UAE on August 27 and is set to conclude on September 11. India will open their campaign against Pakistan on August 28 and will play their second match against a Qualifier on August 31.