After Deepak Chahar, Ruturaj Gaikwad tests positive for the novel coronavirus

The three-time champions Chennai Super Kings are one of the favorites to lift the trophy of the 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League. In the 10 seasons that they have played in, CSK have qualified for the playoffs/semis on every other occasion. It ought to be a special season as it will mark the return of MS Dhoni, who retired from international cricket on August 15.

However, it looks like the team has been hit with some bad luck as after Deepak Chahar and ten other staff members, one more cricketer of the CSK contingent has tested positive for the novel coronavirus. This time it is none other than right-handed batsman Ruturaj Gaikwad who is reported to have contracted the virus, as per Sportstar.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is all set to kick-start the 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League from September 19 to November 10. The tournament was delayed and has now been moved out of the country due to the rise in the number of coronavirus cases in India. The cash-rich league will be played in a biosecure bubble across three venues namely Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah.

CSK to go in quarantine for another week

It can be considered as a major blow for the MS Dhoni-led side as they’ll now have no option but to wait before kicking off their IPL preparations. The Yellow army had reached Dubai on August 21 and was scheduled to start their training after serving a mandatory six-day quarantine period on August 28 (Friday).

Ruturaj Gaikwad and Deepak Chahar along with other infected support staff have been kept in isolation and will now have to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine period. After that will have to test negative for the virus, twice in a span of 14 hours to be back in the camp.

Notably, Chennai Super Kings was the only team among the eight IPL franchises to organize a special training camp for their players before leaving for UAE. CSK had conducted a six-day conditioning camp for its players at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. However, the franchise sources have cleared that the players were tested for the coronavirus before the camp and they have most likely infected the virus after reaching Dubai.