Chennai Super Kings suffered a major setback when at least 10 of its staff members including batsman — Rituraj Gaekwad and pacer Deepak Chahar tested positive for the corona-virus. IPL Medical Team is monitoring 13 personnel including 2 players who have tested positive and have been isolated from other members.
The franchise is in jeopardy after the results were out and may be further punished as the remaining franchises want BCCI to issue a stern warning against the lacklustre attitude of the Chennai Super Kings players and staffs. CSK players were supposed to start training from Friday, August 28 after completing a six-day quarantine period. But the quarantine period was extended.
Chennai Super Kings CEO Had Reservations About Conducting Camp
It is to be mentioned that Chennai Super Kings was the only team to have a six-day preparatory camp before leaving for UAE to participate in Indian Premier League which commences from 19th of September.
CEO Kasi Viswanathan mentioned that it was CSK captain MS Dhoni’s idea to have a preparatory camp where local players assembled before leaving for the Emirates.
“When we announced the tournament is going to happen, I had reservations about conducting the camp here because the bio-bubble had to be created. In fact sent a message to him (asking) whether it will be worthwhile having a camp for 5 days before going to Dubai. But the captain was crystal clear in his thoughts,” Viswanathan had said.
Those who have tested positive will stay outside the bio bubble and self-isolate for 14 days.
“This will follow the Government policy and is currently 14 days. During the 14-day quarantine, the individual will be tested on Day 10, Day 13 and Day 14.”
Contact tracing will be done following positive cases according to the health guidelines.
“Contact tracing must commence at the earliest. All casual contacts will undergo an RT-PCR test immediately while close contacts will be closely monitored and tested over the next 5 days,” says the IPL health advisory.
BCCI informed that 1988 RT-PCR COVID tests were carried out across all participants including players, support staff, team management, BCCI and IPL operation staff, hotel and ground transport staff.
CSK Dealt With A Major Setback As Suresh Raina Flies Home
To make matters worse, Suresh Raina left for India citing personal reasons and will be unavailable for the entire IPL. The developments are shocking for Chennai Super Kings who left India on a happy note. The team will try to bounce back and chase their 4th IPL title after early setbacks.
It is to be mentioned that Suresh Raina retired from international cricket a few minutes after MS Dhoni announced retirement on August 15. While MS Dhoni is 39, Suresh Raina is only 33 so many argued whether his decision was taken in haste or not.
Suresh Raina has been out of reckoning from the India team since 2018. Both of them though were available to play for CSK in IPL. The decisions came on Independence Day 2020.
Suresh Raina is the team’s leading run-getter as he has aggregated 4527 runs from 164 games for CSK. He also featured in 158 consecutive games for CSK before missing his first match in 2018.