India tour of England: Mayank Agarwal to join Team India as a backup for Covid-positive Rohit Sharma

Mayank Agarwal wouldn't have imagined himself playing the rescheduled 5th Test vs England but he may well be facing the first ball. The opening batter has been called up to join the Indian squad as a cover for Rohit Sharma, who is isolated after testing positive for Covid-19.

Mayank was dropped from the Test team after a string of below-par performances in whites but since KL Rahul was also ruled out of the England tour, India needed a backup opener and thus had to fly in Agarwal. A BCCI source told PTI that if needed, Mayank will be available for the crucial Test as UK Covid protocols don't need any quarantine period upon landing if the RT-PCR report is negative. Mayank though has seen a dip in his form and hasn't scored even a fifty in any of his last 8 Test innings.

The 5th Test in Birmingham starting July 1, will be the last of the incomplete series and if India manage to win or draw it, they will win their first Test series in England since 2007.

Also read: England wicketkeeper tests positive for Covid, availability for India Test in doubt