(UTV | INDIA) – Rahul Dravid will travel as India head coach for the six-game white-ball tour of Sri Lanka in July. Apart from Dravid, the coaching staff will consist of members of Dravid’s team from the National Cricket Academy (NCA).
Cricbuzz has learnt that the Indian white-ball team that will travel to Sri Lanka has been assured of at least one week preparation time before the opening fixture – the first ODI on July 13. The BCCI initially thought of hosting a camp in Bangalore, but the worsening Covid situation and continued lockdown have ruled out that possibility.
A source connected with the tour has revealed to this website that the touring party will have quarantine before departure in India and is preparing to undergo isolation, if needed, on arrival in Sri Lanka too, depending on the bio-protocols in the island.
As of Tuesday (June 8), the Sri Lanka Ministry of Health guidelines state that one-day quarantine is needed for the fully vaccinated people from India, Vietnam, South African and South American countries. These rules are applicable up to June 30. The guidelines, the order says, could change after June 30 and different rules may be in place by the time the Indian team leaves for Sri Lanka. Different rules may also apply for those who have had only one dose of vaccination.
Production of pre-departure negative RT-PCR test would be needed on arrival, followed by a negative test result after a day’s stay at the hotel. The BCCI had previously advised players to take their vaccinations, but how many of them can complete both the doses on time before departure remains to be seen.
As for the make-up of the Indian squad, there’s no immediate information on the date of the selection committee meeting, though it is expected to take place soon. Shikhar Dhawan could be handed captaincy, while Shreyas Iyer’s availiability is still uncertain.