Zimbabwe coach and former Indian cricketer Lalchand Rajput has tested positive for Covid-19. Zimbabwe who are scheduled to play a three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, starting Sunday (January 16) are now in jeopardy as they will have to do without their head coach. The latest outbreak of the pandemic has taken a heavy toll on the health of players and schedule as most recently, West Indies vs Ireland 1st ODI got postponed due to outbreak in the latter's camp.
Rajput, the coach of the African nation since 2018 was tested positive and will remain in the hotel room in self-isolation despite being asymptomatic, as per the reports. Craig Ervine's Zimbabwe side are already in Sri Lanka and will have no services of their coach for the opening two games.
10-day Isolation
Sri Lana's top sports doctor Arjuna de Silva confirmed the report as 60-year-old Rajput will now face time out from the team. He will go into mandatory 10-day isolation before taking his place in the dugout. This means he will be only available for the final ODI against Sri Lanka on January 21.
“We are doing some routine tests and he will be able to go back to a hotel. There will be a 10-day quarantine period which means he will miss the first two matches,” Arjun De Silva confirmed.
Rajput represented India in two Tests and four ODIs before taking the coaching role. He was also in charge of the Afghanistan cricket team before he took charge of Zimbabwe. The three-match ODI series will start on Sunday (January 16) in Pallekele.
Zimbabwe tour of Sri Lanka schedule
1st ODI – Sunday, 16th, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele
2nd ODI – Tuesday, 18th, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele
3rd ODI – Friday, 21st, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele
