Opener Mayank Agarwal has been called up to join the Indian squad in UK as a cover for skipper Rohit Sharma, who has been rendered doubtful for the Edgbaston test against England after testing positive for Covid-19. He was tested positive on Saturday and the selectors are hopeful that Rohit may recover by the time the test starts on July 1.
According to sources, Agarwal will fly out to England on Monday and link up with the rest of the Indian squad. According to the latest government rules, Agarwal will not be required to undergo any quarantine, and will thus be available to play immediately if required.
Agarwal was left out of Team India’s squad for the Edgbaston Test named in May but KL Rahul’s injury and doubts over Rohit Sharma’s recovery have given a chance to him.
Agarwal played his last Test match in March against Sri Lanka, where he scored only 59 runs in two matches, at an average of 19.66. Later, he captained Punjab Kings in IPL 2022 and had a forgetful season.
The batter could manage only 196 runs in 14 matches, an average of 16.33 and a strike rate of 122.5, as the team finished sixth on the table.
Coming to the fifth Test, India and England will be squaring off for the one-off Test at Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham on July 1.
The rescheduled match is a part of last year’s five-match Test series that had to be delayed after the fourth Test due to a Covid-19 outbreak in the Indian camp.
