Rahul Dravid has tested positive for Covid-19 and will not travel with the rest of the squad to Dubai for the Asia Cup on Tuesday. It was learnt Dravid has mild symptoms and will be tested again in a few days’ time. Paras Mhambrey, the bowling coach, will be in charge in Dravid’s absence.

The BCCI was undecided on whether VVS Laxman — the National Cricket Academy chief who coached India in Zimbabwe as Dravid took a short break — will fill in for Dravid as the stand-in head coach and will take a call after Dravid takes another test.

India’s first match in the Asia Cup is on Sunday against Pakistan. “Mr. Dravid is under the supervision of the BCCI Medical team and has mild symptoms,” the BCCI stated in a release. “He will join the team once he returns with a negative Covid-19 report.”

The Asia Cup is India’s last tournament before they announce the squad for the T20 World Cup in Australia in October-November. The deadline for the squad is September 16. Former coach Ravi Shastri didn’t wish to read much into it. “I don’t think it will make that much of a difference. Today, they don’t call it Covid; it’s just a bloody flu yaar. In 3-4 days, it will be fine and he will be back on the park,” he said.