IND versus ENG 5th Test: Ashwin in home isolation, unable to board flight

As the Indian team held its first practise session in England on Monday, with the most of their top players there, Ravichandran Ashwin was noticeably absent. According to the Indian Express, the off-spinner was infected with Covid-19 and was unable to board the trip to England a few days ago.

There is also no word on whether Ashwin would be able to catch an aircraft in time for the rescheduled Test against England at Edgbaston, Birmingham, beginning July 1.

The Indian squad, led by Rohit Sharma, travelled to London to finish the series, which they lead 2-1 heading into the fourth Test.

All players were required to undergo RT-PCR tests after they flew from their respective residences, according to BCCI norms. Ashwin's test result was positive, and he is currently being isolated at home in Chennai.

Ashwin was not selected for India's five-match T20I series against South Africa at home. He took part in the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association's annual first division games (TNCA).

Ashwin chose to play for his hometown side Mylapore Recreation Club MRC 'A' barely a week after representing Rajasthan Royals in the IPL final, which they lost to Gujarat Titans. Ashwin appeared in the semi-finals and final, assisting his squad capture its first-ever first-division title. Later in the day, he spoke to reporters in Chennai and explained why he came to his club despite the extreme heat.

"The goal of these games is to transition from 20 overs to this (red-ball) format." All of these things are examples of workload management. You play smarter as you get older. That is something I am attempting. I'm having fun with my game. I just want to travel to England and see what happens. I believe I can contribute with the bat and bowl well. "I want to keep training and improving my fitness," he had stated.

Last year, India withdrew to play the fifth Test of the series in England because to a Covid-19 concern in their dressing room. Former coach Ravi Shastri and the team physiotherapist had also been infected, and as a result, the players refused to play.

The cancellation of the fifth Test was made in collaboration with the ECB, according to BCCI secretary Jay Shah.

"The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have agreed to cancel the 5th Test Match planned in Manchester during India's current tour of England in 2021." The BCCI and ECB had multiple rounds of talks to find a solution to play the Test Match, however an epidemic of Covid-19 in the Indian team contingent caused the decision to cancel the Old Trafford Test Match. Given the BCCI-ECB relationship, the BCCI has offered the ECB a reschedule of the cancelled Test match. "Both Boards will try to identify an opportunity to reschedule this Test match," the BCCI stated in a statement.