Kings XI Punjab have dismissed reports suggesting their batsman Karun Nair has recovered after contracting COVID-19. According to a report in ESPNCricinfo, Karun Nair went into ‘self-isolation for more than two weeks’ before testing negative for the virus. The news outlet reported that the right-handed batsman tested negative on August 8.
However, his IPL franchise has dismissed the reports. The franchise has stated that the batsman only had a mild fever and nothing else. The Punjab-based outfit also stated that Karun Nair is ‘perfectly alright’ at the moment.
“He had some mild fever, that’s all. Nothing to do with coronavirus. He’s perfectly alright,” Kings XI Chief Executive Satish Menon was quoted as saying by Reuters.
On the other hand, a BCCI source told PTI that Karun Nair returned a negative test on August 8 at the end of his quarantine. He will now have to clear three more tests like the rest of the contingent to be able to fly out to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on August 20.
“He is absolutely fine now. He was asymptomatic throughout and was feeling okay. His test came negative after two weeks and he has even resumed personal training. Now, he will be tested like all other squad members before the team leaves for UAE,” the source said.
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. Meanwhile, IPL 2020 is scheduled to be played from September 19 to November 10. The entire competition will be played in UAE because of the alarming coronavirus situation in the country.
Dishant Yagnik tests positive:
While no player related to the IPL has tested positive so far, Rajasthan Royals 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.