The skipper was being given every chance to face England but continues to return positives on the eve of the Test
India will be captained by Jasprit Bumrah when they face England in the fifth Test at Edgbaston after Rohit Sharma was forced out with Covid-19.
The skipper, in isolation since last week, continues to return positive tests and has been ruled out of the match.
Bumrah is set to become the first fast bowler to lead India since Kapil Dev in what will be his first senior game as captain.
He had operated as vice-captain during the Sri Lanka Tests but has been thrust into the hot seat at the 11th hour.
The tourists, leading 2-1 heading into the final Test of the series that was curtailed due to Covid fears last September, will also be forced into a rethink at the top of the order.
Mayank Agarwal has been parachuted into the squad this week and is expected to partner opener Shubman Gill.
Bumrah is braced to lead India for the first time (Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Rahul Dravid, speaking on Wednesday (June 29), refused to rule out a debut for KS Bharat or a promotion for Chesteshwar Pujara.
"We'll make a decision," said the head coach. "We will weigh a lot of factors.
"Obviously, Mayank is a regular opener. someone who opens regularly. We have other options too; Bharat himself has opened in a lot of games for Andhra and showed in that side game that he is batting superbly at the moment.
"Pujara has got a lot of great quality. He has opened for India as well in the past.
"So I would not want to give things away but like I said, in our minds, we are clear in the direction we are going."
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