Rahul Dravid recovers from COVID, to join India ahead of INDvsPAK clash

Rahul Dravid recovers from COVID, to join India ahead of INDvsPAK clash: In encouraging news for the Indian fans, head coach Rahul Dravid has recovered from COVID and will join the Indian contingent in the UAE soon. Dravid will be present in the Indian dressing room during India’s opening clash against Pakistan on 28th August.

The former Indian captain flew to the UAE late on Saturday after undergoing all the necessary covid protocols in India. Dravid will straightaway join the dressing room to spearhead the Men in Blue in their campaign in the ongoing Asia Cup 2022.

Notably, days ahead of India’s scheduled departure for the UAE, Dravid showed mild symptoms of covid and had to stay back in India. He was looked after by the medical team of the BCCI and was anticipated to recover from the virus in a week’s time. However, his recovery has been quick.

VVS Laxman, India’s stand-in head coach for the tournament has returned to India following Dravid’s arrival in the UAE, confirmed the reports.

“He [VVS Laxman] is returning home tonight [Saturday],” said a source in Dubai.

Laxman was appointed India’s interim coach as soon as Dravid tested covid positive. The NCA chief headed straight to the UAE along with Indian vice-captain KL Rahul and other members from Zimbabwe.

“Mr Laxman, who travelled with the Indian team that played the ODI series in Zimbabwe will oversee the team’s preparation in the absence of Mr Rahul Dravid, who tested positive for COVID-19 before the team’s departure to the UAE. Mr Dravid will join the team once he tests negative and is cleared by the BCCI Medical Team,” the BCCI had said.

Rohit Sharma and Co will square off against Pakistan on 28th August 2022 in the Dubai International Stadium. The Indian captain decided against dropping any hints on India’s plan for the match in the pre-match press conference. He neither revealed the opening combination nor threw hints on the bowling combination for the match.

India vs Pakistan Probable PlayingXI:

India: Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin/Avesh Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh.

Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Haider Ali, Khushdil Shah, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Hasnain, Haris Rauf, Shahnawaz Dahani