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According to the latest reports, yet another Indian woman cricketer has reportedly tested positive for Covid-19 and has stayed back in the country ahead of the side's opener against Australia in the Commonwealth Games on Friday. While the Indian woman squad left for Birmingham on Sunday morning, two women cricketers have stayed back in India after testing positive for COVID-19.
Earlier, President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Sourav Ganguly had informed that one member of the touring party had tested Covid positive and she will not be travelling to Birmingham for the Games.
In addition to that news, an Indian Olympic Association (IOA) official has reportedly confirmed that a second player has tested positive for Covid-19. "A second player has tested positive for Covid-19 and it happened just before the departure. Both the players remain in India," the IOA official was quoted.
A BCCI source close to the development also informed that as per protocol, both players can only join the team once they test negative. Considering the present situation, both the cricketers are unlikely to be termed fit ahead of India's opening match against Australia. Team India is set to face Australia on Friday (29th July), followed by the second game against arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday (31st July) and the final game of the Group stage against Barbados on August 3. The second group consists England, New Zealand, South Africa, and Sri Lanka.
Harmanpreet Kaur will lead the side in the competition with Smriti Mandhana as her deputy. Prior to leaving for Birmingham, team skipper Harmanpreet Kaur stated that she is aspiring to clinch gold in the upcoming Commonwealth Games 2022 and wants to replicate Neeraj Chopra's podium moment at Tokyo Olympics 2020.
"We have watched the Olympics and Commonwealth Games throughout our childhood. We always wanted to part of it and now it looks like the dream is turning into reality. We will aim nothing less than gold at the podium," said Kaur.