In a big blow to Chennai Super Kings ahead of the upcoming IPL, few members of their contingent have tested positive for the dreaded coronavirus. The latest development will be a big blow for the three-time champions who were supposed to start their training in Dubai from Friday.
Chennai Super Kings reached UAE on August 21 after a short camp at their home base in Chennai. The camp was held from August 20 to 21. They were the only team to hold a camp before departing for UAE. According to a report in The Times of India, the members had tested positive after they landed in Dubai. The names of the members are still not known.
With members testing positive now, Chennai Super Kings now have to extend their quarantine period for another week. The report further added that the entire Chennai Super Kings squad, including support staff and officials, had to undergo their fourth Covid-19 test on Friday. The BCCI had mandated three coronavirus tests for the teams upon reaching the UAE before they could start practising. The result of the fourth Covid-19 test of Chennai Super Kings players will only be known on Saturday.
“Even when football started in Europe, a few players had tested positive. So with eight IPL teams and over 1000 members, this was a possibility. This could have happened to any team. It is just unlucky that it has happened to CSK despite taking all kinds of precautions,” the news outlet quoted a source as saying.
IPL 2020 is scheduled to start on September 19 with the final to take place on November 19. Surprisingly, BCCI is yet to release the schedule for the competition. As per recent reports, the schedule for the upcoming season could be a dynamic one in order to counter the prevailing conditions.