IND vs ENG: One senior player reluctant to play 5th Test amid COVID-19 scare

The Test series between India and England has become quite interesting due to the intense competition between both the teams. The visitors have impressed everybody with their fine performances in both the departments. Currently, the Indian team leads the series 2-1, and is on the front-seat given their confidence boosting win in the last test match. But, one problem has arisen in the Indian camp, the covid positive case had been detected a day before the scheduled date of the test match. The assistant Physio Yogesh Parmar was found covid positive on 9 September which meant the players had to be isolated and training sessions cancelled.

One Senior Indian Player reluctant to play 5th Test

All the 21 Indian players of the Indian team have been tested negative, and match will be started at the scheduled date and time.

“All the players have tested negative and that’s the good news. But let’s keep our fingers crossed that the match would go ahead,” a senior BCCI source told PTI on Thursday. BBC Test Match Special tweeted: “The ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) say that all the India players PCR COVID Tests have come back negative and the Old Trafford Test goes ahead as planned.”

ENG vs IND, 5th Test: Shami fit to play; Rohit, Pujara not yet 100%

But, it is reported that one of the senior players of the Indian team had disagreement about the match going ahead, while all the other players agreed to play the test match. The senior player had the view that the situation can get worse if one of the players tests positive during the course of the match, as the symptoms take some time to develop in the body. It has been reported that the discussion between ECB Chairman Tom Harrison and senior Indian player are underway.

Changes expected for both teams in 5th Test?

For the Indian team, Mohammed Shami can come back in the 11 after being fully fit and can replace Mohammed Siraj. There were talks of Bumrah being rested for the final test match, but with the final test deciding the course of the series, he is likely to play the match.

Related: T20 World Cup: England Squad Announced. Check Details

On the other hand, Jos Buttler and Jack Leach are expected to be featuring in this test match replacing Jonny Bairstow and Craig Overton respectively.

For more cricket news, click here