MUMBAI: In a big boost to their chances in the ongoing ICC Under-19 World Cup in the West Indies, all the six covid-hit players, including captain Yash Dhull and his deputy Sheikh Rasheed, in India’s Under-19 team have recovered after being struck by the virus, and will be available for selection for the team’s ICC Under-19 World Cup quarterfinal against Bangladesh at Antigua on January 29, TOI has learnt.
“Yes, all the players have recovered. They will join the team today and will be available for selection for the last eight clash tomorrow,” a source in the BCCI told TOI on Friday.
After they tested positive for covid on the day of the team’s match against Ireland in a Group B clash in Trinidad last Wednesday — seriously jeopardizing the side’s campaign — all the six players were isolated in Trinidad, and missed India’s group stage matches against Ireland and Uganda.
Apart from Dhull and Rasheed, Aaradhya Yadav, Vasu Vats, Manav Parakh, and Siddharth Yadav were also found infected with the virus, because of which India barely managed to field an XI against Ireland. All of them missed the next match against Uganda too as India played with a bare minimum number of players.
Following the development, the BCCI had last Friday flown in four backup players for the Covid-wrecked team at the ongoing Under-19 World Cup in the West Indies. Abhishek Porel (Bengal), Uday Saharan (Rajasthan), Rishith Reddy (Hyderabad), Ansh Gosai (Saurashtra) were sent as back-ups to the Dhull-led side. “We will look to play our strongest side for the quarterfinal,” the source said.
As per PTI reports, Nishant Sindhu, who captained the team in the absence of Dhull, tested positive following the final league game against Uganda and won't be available for the knock-out match. Left-arm spinner Aneeshwar Gautam will be coming in to replace Sindhu in the squad.
