Asia Cup 2022 Live: Laxman joins Indian camp in DUBAI, takes 1st practice session in place of Rahul Dravid: Follow LIVE UPDATES

Asia Cup 2022 Live – Rahul Dravid COVID Positive: The BCCI on Wednesday have confirmed that VVS Laxman will take charge of the Indian team during the Asia Cup 2022 in the UAE. Incument head coach Rahul Dravid meanwhile has missed out after testing COVID-19 positive on Tuesday. Laxman, who was the coach during the India vs Zimbabwe series, travelled to Dubai on Wednesday. Dravid will join up with the squad once he returns a negative test. Follow Asia Cup 2022 Live Updates with InsideSport.IN.

A BCCI statement said, “Mr VVS Laxman, Head Cricket, NCA will be the interim Head Coach for Team India (Senior Men) for the upcoming ACC Asia Cup 2022, to be played in the UAE. 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 statement added.

It is understood that Laxman has joined the group straight from Harare where he along with NCA coaches Sairaj Bahutule and Hrishikesh Kanitkar served as backroom staff for India’s 3-0 win vs Zimbabwe.

Kanitkar and Bahutule have since returned to India, while Laxman joins the Indian team as standby. A final decision on Dravid’s participation will be taken on Thursday after another round of testing.

Asia Cup 2022 LIVE: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli with Anushka Sharma, Indian team leaves for DUBAI to take on ASIA’s best: Follow IND vs PAK in ASIA CUP LIVE

Asia Cup 2022 Live: VVS Laxman joins Indian team in Dubai, Final decision on Rahul Dravid’s participation in ASIA CUP tomorrow: Follow LIVE UPDATES

Rahul Dravid COVID Positive: Dravid was to leave for Dubai on Tuesday from Bengaluru but the Covid-19 development has set him back. Laxman, who has been standing for him whenever and wherever he is not present, should be doing the duty in his absence.

Asia Cup 2022 Live: VVS Laxman ready to take over as head coach Rahul Dravid tests positive for COVID-19, set to miss ASIA CUP: Follow LIVE UPDATES

The BCCI is believed to be making all the travel arrangements for Laxman, who is in Zimbabwe. The BCCI logistics team is working overtime to ensure this.

Asia Cup 2022 Live: VVS Laxman joins Indian team in Dubai, Final decision on Rahul Dravid’s participation in ASIA CUP tomorrow: Follow LIVE UPDATES

Rahul Dravid Tests COVID Positive: The board later confirmed about Dravid getting tested positive for Covid-19 as well. Dravid is under the watch of the BCCI’s medical team.

“Team India Head Coach Rahul Dravid has tested positive for COVID-19 in a routine test conducted ahead of the team’s departure to the UAE for Asia Cup 2022,” read the statement.

“Mr. Dravid is under the supervision of the BCCI Medical team and has mild symptoms. He will join the team once he returns with a negative COVID-19 report. The rest of the team will assemble in UAE on 23^rd August, 2022.”

This is a massive blow for India as they aim to win the Asia Cup for a record eighth time. Dravid wasn’t a part of the Indian contingent that had travelled to Zimbabwe for the 3-match ODI series. In Dravid’s absence, it was VVS Laxman who had taken up the role of the head coach.

Asia Cup 2022 Live: VVS Laxman ready to take over as head coach Rahul Dravid tests positive for COVID-19, set to miss ASIA CUP: Follow LIVE UPDATES

In all likelihood, Laxman once again be announced as replacement. Meanwhile Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and other members of the Indian team have reached UAE ahead of the start of the tournament.

The Indian team is set to begin training in Dubai three days before the big match against their arch-rivals Pakistan.

A few other players like KL Rahul, Axar Patel, Avesh Khan, Deepak Hooda will be landing in Dubai a little later today as they will be flying from Harare to Dubai in evening.