A BCCI source confirmed that Pant had tested positive and was in isolation for the past eight days. He is, according to the source, asymptomatic at this point.
"He is in quarantine at an acquaintance's place and won't be travelling with the team to Durham on Thursday," the source said without divulging when the 23-year-old Wicketkeeper-batsman will join the squad.
The development comes close on the heels of BCCI Secretary Jay Amit Shah sending an e-mail to the Indian contingent, warning it about the rising cases of COVID-19 in the United Kingdom.
A 20-day break was given to the players after the World Test Championship final against New Zealand.
"Yes, one player has tested positive, but he has been in isolation for the last eight days. He was not staying in any hotel with the team, so no other player has been affected," BCCI Vice-President Rajiv Shukla said.
"As of now, no other player has tested positive. Also you must be aware our secretary Jay Shah has written a letter to all players to maintain protocols," Shukla added.
It is understood that Pant has been afflicted by the Delta variant which has led to a rising number of cases in England. Pant was at the Wembley Stadium to watch England's Round of 16 clash against Germany on June 30 and had posted pictures on his social media accounts.
Shah, in his letter, told the players to 'avoid' crowded places as Covishield, the vaccine which has been given to the team, only provides protection, not full immunity against the virus.
In fact, Shah's letter had specifically stated that players should avoid going to the Wimbledon and Euro championships, both of which recently concluded in England.
The Indian team is due to take on England in a five Test series starting August 4. It will play a practice game starting July 20 as a build-up to the high-intensity series.
The India-England showdown marks the beginning of the second cycle of the World Test Championship.
Recently, the England ODI team was hit by the virus and was forced to field an altogether different side in the limited overs series against Pakistan.
