ENG vs IND | Rohit Sharma tests negative for Covid-19; starts prepping for white ball series

In a heartening development, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma is finally out of quarantine after testing negative for the deadly virus Covid-19.

Sharma will now be available for the upcoming T20I and ODI series against England, starting July 07.

A senior BCCI official confirmed the development to the Press Trust of India (PTI) on Sunday, June 03.

The official also revealed that Rohit will not be featuring in the tourists' warm-up T20I fixture against Northamptonshire as he needs enough time for recovery.

"Yes, Rohit has tested negative and, as per medical protocols, is now out of quarantine. However, he is not playing today's T20 warm-up game against Northamptonshire as he will need some recovery time and training ahead of the first T20I. 

India were dealt with a huge body blow when Sharma tested positive for Covid-19 on the second day of their four-day warm-up game against Leicestershire Foxes.

The management waited till the eve of the Edgbaston Test before they were forced to rule the opener out after he again returned positive on two occasions.

In his place, Jasprit Bumrah was appointed stand-in skipper while Shreyas Iyer was slotted in the middle-order, with Cheteshwar Pujara opening the innings with Shubman Gill.

As far as the ongoing Test match is concerned, India have claimed a commanding position thanks to brilliant hundreds from Rishabh Pant (144) and Ravindra Jadeja (104) and a relentless barrage of seam bowling led by Bumrah and Mohammad Shami.

At the time of writing, India were 151 runs ahead with nine second innings wickets still in their bag.

With regards to the white-ball leg of the tour, the T20I series will commence in Southampton on June 07. The ODI rubber will take place between July 12-17