IPL 2020: CSK CEO clears how KM Asif didn't break the bio-secure bubble in UAE

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) pacer KM Asif reportedly became the first player in the UAE to broke the IPL 2020 bio-secure bubble. The Kerala pacer misplaced his hotel room key and apparently went to the reception to get a replacement.

But the reception area, as per the rules, doesn’t fall under the secure zone and the pacer was deemed to have broken the bubble. He allegedly was also slapped with a six-day quarantine in the wake of the breach.

However, Chennai Super Kings CEO Kasi Viswanathan has dismissed reports of Asif’s happenings. Asif, who is yet to feature in the on-going IPL, has so far played two matches for the franchise and has scalped three wickets in them. Viswanathan, to clear it all up, said that Asif had gone to a separate area in the lobby which caters to the players, where the staff members are tested regularly for Covid-19.

“I don’t know if facts have been checked because while there is a reception in the lobby, the staff attending to the CSK unit is different. Asif obviously would not go and speak to the general staff. The boys know that there is a dedicated team working with the players.

The fact he lost the key and went and asked for a replacement is true. But he didn’t go to the regular staff working and went to the designated desk. The matter has been blown out of proportion and facts need to be kept in mind,” said Viswanathan as quoted by Cricket Next.

We are taking as many precautions as humanly possible: CSK CEO

“We all know the gravity of the situation and how the coronavirus is deadly. In fact, I myself have not entered the floors where the players and support staff are staying. Their bubble is different from the bubble created for the officials.”

“We are taking as many precautions as humanly possible. The players have undergone 14 tests so far and Asif too has been part of them and he is negative. Now, we cannot ask every staff member in the hotel to be a part of the bubble, but let me inform you that they are all being regularly tested,” the CSK CEO further said.

MS Dhoni’s troops, meanwhile, have had a poor start to their IPL 2020 campaign. After defeating defending champions Mumbai Indians in the season opener, the Chennai side suffered thumping defeats against Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals. With two losses and a win to their name, CSK are currently sitting at the bottom of the points table. They’re next slated to lock horns with Sunrisers Hyderabad on Friday at Dubai.