Rohit Sharma out of isolation after testing COVID-19 negative, to lead India in T20I series vs England

India received a major boost ahead of the T20I series against England as regular captain Rohit Sharma came out of isolation after having tested negative for COVID-19 and will now be available for the first T20I in Southampton on July 7.

The 35-year-old all-format captain was ruled out from playing the rescheduled fifth Test against England as he tested positive on the second day of the four-day warm-up game against Leicestershire.

''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,'' a senior BCCI official told PTI.

As per medical protocol, any player, who is out of quarantine, needs to undergo mandatory cardiovascular tests to check lung capacity and how it is functioning post-COVID-19.

The Indian team was desperate to play Rohit but he tested positive thrice before the game day and hence India had a new captain in Jasprit Bumrah.

While Rohit will play from the first game of the white ball series, the likes of Virat Kohli, Bumrah, Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja will be available from the second game onwards.