Mariyappan Thangavelu, left, and Bhati Varun Singh captured gold and bronze respectively in the men’s high jump T42 at Rio 2016 ©Getty Images

India’s athletics team for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games is set to be selected during two days of trials next month.

According to Indian newspaper First Post, New Delhi is scheduled to stage the trials on June 15 and 16.

India has been gripped by a deadly wave of COVID-19 infections, with the country’s death toll surpassing 270,000 and an average of 340,000 new cases a day over the last week.

But the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) is hoping to stage the trials next month with coronavirus countermeasures in place.

"Athletes who are attending the trials should bring COVID-19 negative reports taken 72 hours prior to the trials," a statement from PCI read.

The PCI said only athletes who have reached the minimum qualification standard for Tokyo 2020 will be able to attend the trials.

India will be looking to better its haul of four Para athletics medals achieved at Rio 2016 ©Getty Images
India will be looking to better its haul of four Para athletics medals achieved at Rio 2016 ©Getty Images

A total of 19 athletes represented India in five sports at the Rio 2016 Paralympics, with all four of the country’s medals coming in athletics.

Mariyappan Thangavelu and Devendra Jhajharia achieved gold in the men’s T42 high jump and men’s F46 javelin throw respectively.

Deepa Malik clinched silver in the women’s  F53 shot put while Varun Singh Bhati earned bronze in the men’s T42 high jump.

India’s performance in Rio de Janeiro boosted its overall Paralympic medal haul to 12 including four golds, four silvers and four bronzes.

Malik is now the PCI President.