Mayank Agarwal has been called up for the upcoming Edgbaston Test against England, from July 1, as cover for Rohit Sharma. The Team India captain tested positive for Covid-19 on Saturday. Mayank had originally been left out of the squad, but an injury to KL Rahul and doubts over Rohit’s availability have now opened the door for the opener. He will join the squad on Monday evening.

Rohit is in isolation and the Indians have made no announcement on the captaincy change. It has been learnt that the team management is still awaiting Rohit’s status and a call will be taken only closer to the game.

The think-tank is expecting Rohit to recover in time for the Test. India are already without the services of another regular Test opener, KL Rahul, who is nursing an injury. If Rohit is unavailable, Mayank is expected to open with Shubman Gill during the Test.

Mayank last played a Test in March, during the home series against Sri Lanka. His most recent red-ball outing was in June, for Karnataka during the Ranji Trophy quarter finals against Uttar Pradesh. Mayank hasn’t been in the best of form lately, managing just 196 runs at an average of 16.33 and strike rate of 122.50 in his maiden season as IPL captain for Punjab Kings.

India lead the series 2-1 before a Covid-enforced break cut short their tour last year in Manchester. The Test in Birmingham is set to be the final Test of that series.