Rahul Dravid, India’s head coach, tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday, and VVS Laxman will serve as the team’s interim coach for the Asia Cup.
In a three-match one-day international series this month, Laxman, who is also the head of cricket at the National Cricket Academy, captained the second-string team that defeated Zimbabwe.
Prior to the team’s flight to the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, Dravid tested positive. He will join the group once his subsequent tests are negative and the BCCI medical staff has given him the all-clear.
Rahul Dravid, who tested positive for COVID-19 prior to the team’s departure for the UAE, would not be managing the team’s preparation, according to BCCI secretary Jay Shah.
Along with vice-captain KL Rahul, Deepak Hooda, and Avesh Khan, who travelled from Harare, Laxman has joined the team in Dubai.
India’s defence of the Asia Cup will start with a match against Pakistan on Sunday in the six-team Twenty20 competition.
