Team India head coach Rahul Dravid reached the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Saturday evening, August 27, ahead of India’s Asia Cup 2022 campaign opener against arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday at the Dubai International Stadium.

Dravid’s COVID-19 test came back negative recently and it was expected that he will be travelling to the UAE to join the Indian squad before the all-important match on Sunday.

The tactician tested positive for COVID-19 during a routine check-up on August 23 ahead of the Men in Blue’s departure for the Asia Cup 2022.

Also Read: India vs Pakistan in Asia Cup 2022: Records, statistics and pitch report

“Team India Head Coach Rahul Dravid has tested positive for COVID-19 in a routine test conducted ahead of the team’s departure to the UAE for Asia Cup 2022,” BCCI secretary Jay Shah said in a statement on August 23.

“Dravid is under the supervision of the BCCI Medical team and has mild symptoms. He will join the team once he returns with a negative COVID-19 report,” he added.

Following his negative test, it was reported that the 49-year-old will be on the sidelines at the Asia Cup 2022. While Dravid was originally not expected to join the team ahead of the Pakistan match, he will now be attending the fixture after reaching the country on Saturday.

Rahul Dravid was examined by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) doctors before he was given the green signal to join the squad. After reaching Dubai on Saturday, he reportedly attended India’s training session. VVS Laxman, who was earlier announced by the BCCI to be Dravid’s replacement at the Asia Cup, is still with the team and is also expected to attend India vs Pakistan match at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday evening.

Also Read: Asia Cup 2022: India aims for revenge vs Pakistan in campaign opener

However, it is also being anticipated that Laxman will not be remaining with the team for the entirety of the Asia Cup 2022 and will return to the country after Sunday’s fixture.

Laxman also accompanied the Indian cricket team in its three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe earlier in August, a series that India won 3-0. He then travelled to Dubai with KL Rahul, Deepak Hooda and Avesh Khan, who were part of the Indian team in Zimbabwe and were named in the Asia Cup 2022 squad.

India will face Pakistan in their Asia Cup 2022 campaign opener from 7:30 pm IST on Sunday, August 28.