‘SL isn’t ready’: Jaffer on how IND can still field a strong XI after 9 players are reportedly unavailable for 2nd T20I

Former India opener Wasim Jaffer shared a meme on Twitter that shows coach Rahul Dravid would take the field with VVS Laxman in the second T20I.

Published on: Jul 28, 2021, 16:32:35 IST

By hindustantimes.com, New Delhi

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Shikhar Dhawan-led Team India received a major blow on Tuesday as Krunal Pandya tested positive for Covid-19. This development resulted in the postponement of the 2nd game to Wednesday while eight more close contacts of the all-rounder were also isolated.

Wasim Jaffer's latest tweet has left the fans in splits (HT Collage)

According to a PTI report, the all-rounder has been ruled out of the remainder of the T20I with seven days of isolation while the remaining eight tested ‘negative’ in the RT-PCR tests but as a precautionary measure won't be able to take the field on Wednesday. However, there is no official confirmation from the BCCI yet.

9 players reportedly being unavailable for the next two games has left the fans puzzled. Meanwhile, former India opener Wasim Jaffer has offered a solution. He shared a meme on Twitter that shows coach Rahul Dravid would take the field with VVS Laxman in the second T20I.

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Earlier on Tuesday, the BCCI confirmed the change in the schedule of the second game through a statement.

“The second T20I between Sri Lanka and India originally scheduled to be played on July 27 has been pushed forward by a day and will now take place on Wednesday, July 28.

“Following the Rapid Antigen Tests conducted ahead of the match on Tuesday morning, Team India all-rounder Krunal Pandya was found to be positive. The Medical Teams have identified eight members as close contacts,” the statement read.

“The entire contingent is undergoing RT-PCR tests today to ascertain any further outbreak in the squad.”

Before the postponement of the 2nd face-off, India won the series opener by 38 runs to take a 1-0 lead. Batsman Suryakumar Yadav top-scored with a 33-ball 50 as India had set a 165-run target for the hosts. In reply, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 124 in 18.3 overs.

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