Zimbabwe coach Lalchand Rajput has tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of Sri Lanka and he will miss at least the first two games of the series. The ODI series between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe will begin on January 16 at Pallekele. However the 60-year old hasn’t shown any symptoms but he has been kept under observation.
“We are doing some routine tests and he will be able to go back to a hotel, there will be a 10-day quarantine period which means he will miss the first two matches.” Arjuna de Silva, a Sri Lankan sports doctor, told AFP.
Rajput will remain in isolation for the next 10 days while the rest of the Zimbabwe squad returned with negative results. Meanwhile, the whole Zimbabwe team travelled to the venue to play 3-match series against Sri Lanka. All three matches will be played at Pallekele.
Lalchand Rajput has been coaching Zimbabwe since 2018
Rajput was appointed Zimbabwe coach in 2018. Zimbabwe hasn’t had a great run of late in ODIs. They drew the series against Ireland by 1-1 while they were whitewashed by 0-3 against Bangladesh in July 2021. However, they are coming here after winning a T20I series against Scotland by 2-1 but they lost the series against Ireland by 2-3 at home. They also conceded another home series against Bangladesh by 1-2 in the same season.
Zimbabwe can take some confidence with the fact they last year won a super game in ODIs in Pakistan. Also in 2017 when they travelled here for a 5-match, the visitors won the series by 3-2 under the leadership of Graeme Cremer. Overall in 13 matches, Zimbabwe won only 3 ODIs against Sri Lanka in their backyard.
Meanwhile Sri Lanka camp has also hit by covid-19 as Avishka Fernando has been tested positive for Covid-19. Though the ban on Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilaka and Niroshan Dickwella has been overturned and they will be available for selection in this series. The trio was banned in the last England tour when they breached a bio bubble protocol in Durham. However, Danushka Gunathilaka announced the retirement from test cricket, hours after his ban was overturned.