The India Under-19 cricket team, which is currently participating in the ICC Under 19 World Cup 2022 in the West Indies, has been hit by the Covid-19 infection as six players, including captain Yash Dhull have tested positive for the deadly virus.
Meanwhile, vice-captain SK Rasheed has also contracted the infection.
According to a report in Cricbuzz, half a dozen of the India U-19 cricketers have contracted the infection and are currently in isolation.
“We understand that some players have come in close contact with Covid positive players and as a measure of precaution the players have been isolated. The fact that they are playing Ireland has helped the team management. The team wants to avoid risk ahead of the bigger games,” a source was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
As per reports, Aaradhya Yadav, Vasu Vats, Manav Parakh and Siddharth Yadav are the other players who have tested positive for Covid-19.
Earlier befoer the start of the tournamnt, the ICC had said that it will be flexible in its approach and will avoid a strict bio-bubble environment.
Talking to a select media group before the start of the tournament, ICC chief executive Geoff Allardice had said: “We have to be flexible and nimble with the schedule. Our focus has been to make this event happen. You will probably get positive tests at some stage. We will be flexible. It is not going to be that one positive case and stop them (the tournament). We are going to be as pragmatic as possible with the aim to complete the tournament. We are running and managing an environment which is not a strict bubble.”
“We are taking precautions with the players. We will try and keep them as isolated as possible. It is a balance between risk of catching virus and freedom the young people will be looking for to enjoy the atmosphere of the Under 19 World Cup,” he had added.
Earlier in November 2021, the New Zealand Under-19 team had decided to withdraw from the ongoing tournament due to mandatory quarantine restrictions for minors following which it was replaced by Scotland in competitive Group D, which also features hosts West Indies, Australia and Sri Lanka.
In the ongoing tournament, defending champions Bangladesh is placed in Group A alongside England, Canada and UAE while four-time champions India, one of the most successful team in the event’s history, are placed with South Africa, Ireland and Uganda in Group B.
Afghanistan, Pakistan, PNG and Zimbabwe compose Group C.
As per the schedule, the tournament is being held across 10 venues in four countries – Antigua and Barbuda, Guyana, St Kitts and Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago.
Significantly, the ongoing edition is the fourteenth edition of the U19 Cricket World Cup and for the first time it is being staged in the West Indies.