India head coach Rahul Dravid has tested positive for COVID-19 and will join the Asia Cup squad later in the United Arab Emirates, the Board of Control for Cricket in India said on Tuesday.

The Asia Cup T20 will be played in the UAE from August 27 to September 11. India play arch-rivals Pakistan in their opening game on August 28.

Dravid returned a positive result in a routine test carried out before the team's departure for the UAE, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah said in a statement.

"Mr 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."

Assistant coach Paras Mhambrey is likely to charge of the team in Dravid's absence. National Cricket Academy head VVS Laxman could also join the team in Dubai.

While majority of the members of the team left from Mumbai on Tuesday morning, vice-captain KL Rahul, Deepak Hooda and reserve player Axar Patel will travel from Harare, having finished their Zimbabwe assignment.