Suryakumar and Shaw cleared to fly to UK

By BIPIN DANI

Suryakumar Yadav and Prithvi Shaw’s last PCR tests done on Sunday have turned up Covid-19 negative, allowing the two players to depart for the United Kingdom, it is learnt. 

Both had to stay back in Sri Lanka after learning that they came in close contact with Krunal Pandya, who had tested positive for Covid-19.

“They are waiting for their visas. Because of the two holidays (Saturday and Sunday), they could not receive the same through the United Kingdom Embassy office in Sri Lanka. The travel agent has been following up the matter and it is hoped they would leave within 24 hours to join Team India in England,” one of the sources said. 
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have made use of a special provision to fly the athletes from Sri Lanka.

The three Indian players who contracted Covid-19, Krunal Pandya, Yuzvendra Chahal and K.Gowtham are yet to be test negative.  

They are staying in a hotel in Mount Lavinia where the Covid unit is being managed and handled by Nawaloka Hospital and irrespective of the number of days they spend in Sri Lanka, one negative PCR test will make them eligible to return to India. 

“They are stationed in separate rooms and unlike in India where the Covid patients can mingle among themselves, Sri Lankan law does not permit,” one of the sources said exclusively.