Xtra Time Web Desk: Team India batting coach Vikram Rathour on Sunday stated the team was distracted going into Day 4 of the fourth test at The Oval after getting to know that Head Coach Ravi Shatsri was tested positive for COVID-19. Apart from Shastri, bowling coach Bharat Arun, fielding coach R Sridhar and physio Nitin Patel are isolating as a precautionary measure after they returned positive on Saturday night.
“Of course, we are missing them massively. Ravi Bhai (Ravi Shastri), B Arun and R Shridar, they have been extremely important part of this set-up and they have done extremely well (in) the last five-six years and played a major role in the team doing well,” Rathour said during the virtual press conference after Day 4 play.
India were in a commanding position after scoring 466 in the second essay, courtesy a memorable hundred by Rohit Sharma and equally important knocks by Cheteshwar Pujara, Shardul Thakur and Rishabh Pant.
“But that is what it is. That’s the truth that they don’t seem to be right here. So it was within the morning, I feel, a bit of a distraction. We had a phrase, we spoke (and) determined that we have to deal with what’s in hand, which is cricket,” said Rathour.
“There was a potential that we can (be) distracted from the situation that happened last night, but a lot of credit goes to the boys, the way they handled themselves and the way we played as a team,” added Rathour.
The batting coach also revealed that Shastri felt a bit of discomfort on Saturday after which the test was conducted.
“I’d not know the precise time, but it was final evening round 8. He was having a little bit of discomfort yesterday (Saturday), so the medical staff determined to go for a lateral-pro take a look at and it got here positive. That is after we heard that he’s positive and I feel the shut contacts were recognized and remoted, so we’ll wait for the medical staff on after they can be part of again,” he added.