After losing the T20I series against Sri Lanka by a 1-2 margin, the Indian cricket team left Sri Lanka on 30th July (Friday) after playing six white-ball matches over a course of 45 days. All-rounder Krunal Pandya who earlier tested positive for COVID-19 remains in mandatory isolation in Colombo and will fly back to India after his mandatory isolation provided he tests negative in the subsequent tests.
It is still not known whether Suryakumar Yadav and Prithvi Shaw who has been included in the Indian squad for the upcoming five-match Test series against England has flown to the UK directly from Colombo or will return to India on a charter plane before flying out again.
"Yes, only Krunal will have to stay back in Sri Lanka for the time being due to the mandatory isolation period of one week," a senior BCCI official was quoted as saying by PTI on the condition of anonymity.
"After one week, if he has two negative RT-PCR reports, he will be allowed to fly back. Currently, he is in the fourth day of his isolation. All others are free to depart as they have all tested negative," he added.
India’s tour of Sri Lanka was marred by the deadly virus. Firstly the start of the tour was delayed by five days after Sri Lanka batting coach Grant Flower and data analyst tested positive. Even the 2nd ODI had to be rescheduled after Krunal Pandya tested positive.
All the eight other members deemed close contact of Krunal had to isolate themselves. The list included his brother Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Manish Pandey, Prithvi Shaw, Deepak Chahar, Krishnappa Gowtham, Ishan Kishan and Yuzvendra Chahal.