Kings XI Punjab batsman Karun Nair was reportedly tested positive from COVID-19 but has recovered just in time for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). According to ESPNcricinfo, the right-handed batsman tested negative on August 8.
Consequently, he is set to travel with the Kings XI Punjab team to the UAE next week to take part in the IPL. The entire tournament will be taking place in UAE because of the alarming coronavirus situation in India. The thirteenth edition of the tournament is scheduled to get underway on September 19 with the final scheduled to take place on November 10.
The report further stated that Karun Nair went into self-isolation for more than two weeks before clearing the test. He will now undergo three further tests as part of the protocol the Kings XI management has laid out for the contingent travelling to the UAE. Only those who clear the testing process will board the flight on August 20.
So far, Karun Nair has played 14 games for Kings XI across the 2018 and 2019 IPL seasons, scoring 306 runs, including two fifties, at a strike rate of 134.80. He is the first high-profile Indian cricketer to have had Covid-19.
Dishant Yagnik tests positive:
While Karun Nair is the first Indian player to test positive for the virus, he is not the first person associated with the IPL who is affected by Covid-19. On Wednesday, Rajasthan Royals announced that their fielding coach Dishant Yagnik had tested positive for the coronavirus. Yagnik will now isolate himself and will have to undergo mandatory tests later this month. He will be cleared to fly to UAE only after he clears all the tests.
After the teams land in UAE, they will enter a bio-secure bubble. Once the individuals enter the bubble after testing negative, they won’t be allowed to move outside before the tournament ends.