Team India Head Coach Rahul Dravid has reached Dubai for Asia Cup 2022 and has joined the team in the hotel after having tested negative for Covid-19, sources told ANI.

India will take on Pakistan today evening in the ongoing Asia Cup 2022 and revenge will be on the mind of players after suffering a humiliating defeat the last time these two Asian giants collided on cricket pitch. Earlier this week, he tested positive with "mild symptoms" for the virus in a routine test conducted ahead of the team`s departure to the UAE for Asia Cup 2022.

After Dravid being tested positive for Covid, the Board of Control for Cricket in India on Wednesday named VVS Laxman as the interim head coach for Team India (Senior Men) for the important Asia Cup.

So far, both sides have locked horns on nine occasions in T20I matches. India has an edge overall, with wins in seven matches out of these. Pakistan has won only two. But the last time these two met was during the ICC T20 World Cup 2021, in which India suffered a humiliating ten-wicket defeat.

Left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi destroyed the Indian top order with two quick strikes. Contributions from then-skipper Virat Kohli (57) and Rishabh Pant (39) took India to 151/7 in their 20 overs but knocks from Mohammed Rizwan (79*) and Pakistani skipper Babar Azam (68*) meant that Men in Blue succumbed to a shocking defeat.

India will be looking forward to putting up a big fight this time around. They have been in fantastic form as of late, having defeated England and West Indies in their respective territories in ODI and T20I series. They are also the number one side in T20Is.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/you-learn-from-mistakes-rohit-sharma-on-how-t20-world-cup-loss-to-pakistan-affected-indias-asia-cup-prep-510755">‘You learn from mistakes’- Rohit Sharma on how T20 World Cup loss to Pakistan affected India's Asia Cup prep</a>

For this, it will be extremely vital for skipper Rohit Sharma, star batters Virat Kohli and KL Rahul to be at peak of their powers and showcase the brutality with their willow that has earned them millions of fans. All eyes will be on Rohit and Virat to regain their best form and play a match-winning knock.

India`s middle order has been seeing a rise of new stars. Suryakumar Yadav and Deepak Hooda are two exciting strikers who can attack from ball one. These two hitters have their chance to etch their names in history in this match against their arch-rivals.

Experienced middle-order batters/all-rounders like Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant will also be looking forward to carrying on the fine form they are in. The Indian bowling attack has a lot of depth. In absence of lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah, all eyes will be on Bhuvneshwar Kumar to lead the attack.

He has been superb for India in T20Is this year, especially during powerplays, a phase in which India will look up to him for early strikes. Youngsters Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan will have their chance to make an impact as well.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/india-vs-pakistan-asia-cup-2022-date-match-time-predicted-playing-xis-and-live-streaming-details-510711">India vs Pakistan, Asia Cup 2022: Date, match time, predicted playing XIs and live streaming details</a>

In the spin department, veterans Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja will be leading the attack. They along with Yuzvnedra Chahal and youngster Ravi Bishnoi will have to complement the pace attack well and bamboozle Pakistanis with their deliveries.

Coming to team Pakistan, they are the third-ranked side in ICC T20I rankings and are not to be taken lightly. Their top order has two in-form batters in Babar Azam and Mohammed Rizwan.

Team India Head Coach Rahul Dravid has reached Dubai for Asia Cup 2022 and has joined the team in the hotel after having tested negative for Covid-19, sources told ANI.

Team India Head Coach Rahul Dravid has reached Dubai for Asia Cup 2022 and has joined the team in the hotel after having tested negative for Covid-19, sources told ANI. India will take on Pakistan today evening in the ongoing Asia Cup 2022 and revenge will be on the mind of players after suffering a humiliating defeat the last time these two Asian giants collided on cricket pitch. Earlier this week, he tested positive with "mild symptoms" for the virus in a routine test conducted ahead of the team`s departure to the UAE for Asia Cup 2022. After Dravid being tested positive for Covid, the Board of Control for Cricket in India on Wednesday named VVS Laxman as the interim head coach for Team India (Senior Men) for the important Asia Cup. So far, both sides have locked horns on nine occasions in T20I matches. India has an edge overall, with wins in seven matches out of these. Pakistan has won only two. But the last time these two met was during the ICC T20 World Cup 2021, in which India suffered a humiliating ten-wicket defeat. Left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi destroyed the Indian top order with two quick strikes. Contributions from then-skipper Virat Kohli (57) and Rishabh Pant (39) took India to 151/7 in their 20 overs but knocks from Mohammed Rizwan (79*) and Pakistani skipper Babar Azam (68*) meant that Men in Blue succumbed to a shocking defeat. India will be looking forward to putting up a big fight this time around. They have been in fantastic form as of late, having defeated England and West Indies in their respective territories in ODI and T20I series. They are also the number one side in T20Is. Also Read: ‘You learn from mistakes’- Rohit Sharma on how T20 World Cup loss to Pakistan affected India's Asia Cup prep For this, it will be extremely vital for skipper Rohit Sharma, star batters Virat Kohli and KL Rahul to be at peak of their powers and showcase the brutality with their willow that has earned them millions of fans. All eyes will be on Rohit and Virat to regain their best form and play a match-winning knock. India`s middle order has been seeing a rise of new stars. Suryakumar Yadav and Deepak Hooda are two exciting strikers who can attack from ball one. These two hitters have their chance to etch their names in history in this match against their arch-rivals. Experienced middle-order batters/all-rounders like Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant will also be looking forward to carrying on the fine form they are in. The Indian bowling attack has a lot of depth. In absence of lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah, all eyes will be on Bhuvneshwar Kumar to lead the attack. He has been superb for India in T20Is this year, especially during powerplays, a phase in which India will look up to him for early strikes. Youngsters Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan will have their chance to make an impact as well. Also Read: India vs Pakistan, Asia Cup 2022: Date, match time, predicted playing XIs and live streaming details In the spin department, veterans Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja will be leading the attack. They along with Yuzvnedra Chahal and youngster Ravi Bishnoi will have to complement the pace attack well and bamboozle Pakistanis with their deliveries. Coming to team Pakistan, they are the third-ranked side in ICC T20I rankings and are not to be taken lightly. Their top order has two in-form batters in Babar Azam and Mohammed Rizwan.

Asia Cup: Head coach Rahul Dravid tests negative for COVID-19, joins team ahead of India-Pakistan clash

The majority of the Indian squad is already in the UAE ahead of the start of the Asia Cup 2022 which gets underway on August 28. However, India are currently without their head coach Rahul Dravid, who tested positive for COVID-19 during a routine test on Tuesday ahead of his scheduled departure to the UAE.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India 9BCCI) has reportedly kept VVS Laxman on standby to serve as the stand-in head coach of the Indian team in case Dravid fails to recover in time. Laxman who is currently the head of BCCI's National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, has already been on two tours with the Indian team as their stand-in head coach in Dravid's absence.

Laxman served as India's stand-in head coach for the first time during the team's tour of Ireland in June this year and came in as a cover for Dravid once again during their recently-concluded three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe. As Dravid remains in India after testing positive, Laxman has been asked to travel to the UAE with the Indian squad.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/virat-kohli-vs-babar-azam-wasim-akram-joins-best-batsman-debate-ahead-of-india-pakistan-asia-cup-clash-509517">Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam: Wasim Akram joins 'best batsman' debate ahead of India-Pakistan Asia Cup clash</a>

“Dravid’s symptoms are mild. So we will wait and decide later whether we need to send VVS Laxman as his replacement or not. Laxman is already in Harare and they are supposed to take a flight to Dubai today," a BCCI official told Indian Express.

"We can ask Laxman to stay back for a few days in Dubai until Dravid’s situation gets clear. We have asked Dravid to undergo another test,” he added.

Dravid's last assignment with the Indian team was their tour of the West Indies and the USA following which he returned back home. Dravid was set to leave for the UAE on Tuesday but he tested positive for the virus. The India head coach has mild symptoms but will have to return a negative test before he can join the rest of the squad for the Asia Cup.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/you-look-at-novak-djokovic-and-nick-kyrgios-ben-stokes-opens-up-on-his-rivalry-with-virat-kohli-509480">You look at Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios: Ben Stokes opens up on his rivalry with Virat Kohli</a>

India will open their Asia Cup 2022 campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai on August 28 (Sunday). Rohit Sharma &amp; Co. will enter the tournament as the defending champions having won the last edition of the competition in 2018.

&nbsp;

The majority of the Indian squad is already in the UAE ahead of the start of the Asia Cup 2022 which gets underway on August 28. However, India are currently without their head coach Rahul Dravid, who tested positive for COVID-19 during a routine test on Tuesday ahead of his scheduled departure to the UAE.

The majority of the Indian squad is already in the UAE ahead of the start of the Asia Cup 2022 which gets underway on August 28. However, India are currently without their head coach Rahul Dravid, who tested positive for COVID-19 during a routine test on Tuesday ahead of his scheduled departure to the UAE. The Board of Control for Cricket in India 9BCCI) has reportedly kept VVS Laxman on standby to serve as the stand-in head coach of the Indian team in case Dravid fails to recover in time. Laxman who is currently the head of BCCI's National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, has already been on two tours with the Indian team as their stand-in head coach in Dravid's absence. Laxman served as India's stand-in head coach for the first time during the team's tour of Ireland in June this year and came in as a cover for Dravid once again during their recently-concluded three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe. As Dravid remains in India after testing positive, Laxman has been asked to travel to the UAE with the Indian squad. Also Read: Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam: Wasim Akram joins 'best batsman' debate ahead of India-Pakistan Asia Cup clash “Dravid’s symptoms are mild. So we will wait and decide later whether we need to send VVS Laxman as his replacement or not. Laxman is already in Harare and they are supposed to take a flight to Dubai today," a BCCI official told Indian Express. "We can ask Laxman to stay back for a few days in Dubai until Dravid’s situation gets clear. We have asked Dravid to undergo another test,” he added. Dravid's last assignment with the Indian team was their tour of the West Indies and the USA following which he returned back home. Dravid was set to leave for the UAE on Tuesday but he tested positive for the virus. The India head coach has mild symptoms but will have to return a negative test before he can join the rest of the squad for the Asia Cup. Also Read: You look at Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios: Ben Stokes opens up on his rivalry with Virat Kohli India will open their Asia Cup 2022 campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai on August 28 (Sunday). Rohit Sharma & Co. will enter the tournament as the defending champions having won the last edition of the competition in 2018.

BCCI keeps VVS Laxman on standby for Asia Cup 2022 after head coach Rahul Dravid tests positive - Report

India have been handed a huge setback ahead of the upcoming Asia Cup 2022 as head coach Rahul Dravid has tested positive for COVID-19. Dravid had not travelled to Zimbabwe with the Indian squad for the recently-concluded three-match ODI series against the hosts as the head coach was rested along with bowling coach Paras Mhambrey and batting coach Vikram Rathour.

In Dravid's absence, another India legend VVS Laxman, who heads the National Cricket Academy (NCA), served as the stand-in head coach of the KL Rahul-led Team India on their tour of Zimbabwe. Dravid's last assignment with the team was their tour of the Caribbean where India defeated West Indies 3-0 in the ODI series and 4-1 in the T20Is.

Dravid's absence will be a big blow for India as the head coach has been instrumental in the team's success across formats since taking over last year. Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma have instilled a new aggressive intent in the team and have changed the way India played T20 cricket.

India is set to leave for the UAE soon for the premier tournament which will serve as the perfect preparation ahead of the Asia Cup 2022. Dravid is likely to miss the tournament due to his positive test. India will begin their campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan in Dubai on August 28 (Sunday).

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/asia-cup-former-indian-batting-coach-explains-why-jasprit-bumrah-wont-be-missed-much-by-team-india-509210">Asia Cup - Former Indian batting coach explains why Jasprit Bumrah won't be missed much by Team India</a>

Rohit Sharma, who was rested from the Zimbabwe series, will return to lead the team in the Asia Cup. Rohit will be looking to inspire the Men in Blue to another memorable triumph having guided them to the title in the last edition of the Asia Cup in 2018.

India will witness the return of superstar batter Virat Kohli, who will be hopeful of bouncing back to form in the tournament. Kohli has been enduring a lean patch across formats in international cricket and will be desperate to notch up a big knock when he marks his return to the playing XI against Pakistan.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/a-look-at-winners-of-last-eight-editions-of-asia-cup-508930">A look at winners of last eight editions of Asia Cup</a>

While the likes of Kohli and Rohit will be back with the squad, India will miss the services of ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel for the tournament. In the absence of the duo, the onus will be on the likes of Bhuvneshar Kumar, Avesh Khan and Arshdeep Singh to deliver with the ball for India.

India have been handed a huge setback ahead of the upcoming Asia Cup 2022 as head coach Rahul Dravid has tested positive for COVID-19. Dravid had not travelled to Zimbabwe with the Indian squad for the recently-concluded three-match ODI series against the hosts as the head coach was rested along with bowling coach Paras Mhambrey and batting coach Vikram Rathour.

India have been handed a huge setback ahead of the upcoming Asia Cup 2022 as head coach Rahul Dravid has tested positive for COVID-19. Dravid had not travelled to Zimbabwe with the Indian squad for the recently-concluded three-match ODI series against the hosts as the head coach was rested along with bowling coach Paras Mhambrey and batting coach Vikram Rathour. In Dravid's absence, another India legend VVS Laxman, who heads the National Cricket Academy (NCA), served as the stand-in head coach of the KL Rahul-led Team India on their tour of Zimbabwe. Dravid's last assignment with the team was their tour of the Caribbean where India defeated West Indies 3-0 in the ODI series and 4-1 in the T20Is. Dravid's absence will be a big blow for India as the head coach has been instrumental in the team's success across formats since taking over last year. Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma have instilled a new aggressive intent in the team and have changed the way India played T20 cricket. India is set to leave for the UAE soon for the premier tournament which will serve as the perfect preparation ahead of the Asia Cup 2022. Dravid is likely to miss the tournament due to his positive test. India will begin their campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan in Dubai on August 28 (Sunday). Also Read: Asia Cup - Former Indian batting coach explains why Jasprit Bumrah won't be missed much by Team India Rohit Sharma, who was rested from the Zimbabwe series, will return to lead the team in the Asia Cup. Rohit will be looking to inspire the Men in Blue to another memorable triumph having guided them to the title in the last edition of the Asia Cup in 2018. India will witness the return of superstar batter Virat Kohli, who will be hopeful of bouncing back to form in the tournament. Kohli has been enduring a lean patch across formats in international cricket and will be desperate to notch up a big knock when he marks his return to the playing XI against Pakistan. Also Read: A look at winners of last eight editions of Asia Cup While the likes of Kohli and Rohit will be back with the squad, India will miss the services of ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel for the tournament. In the absence of the duo, the onus will be on the likes of Bhuvneshar Kumar, Avesh Khan and Arshdeep Singh to deliver with the ball for India.

India head coach Rahul Dravid tests positive for COVID-19 ahead of Asia Cup 2022