IPL 2020: Karun Nair recovers from COVID-19, set to travel with Kings XI Punjab

Karun Nair, the Indian batsman was tested positive for COVID-19 and it could easily have dashed his hopes of playing in the 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, on Saturday, August 8, he was tested negative for the ungodly virus, much to his relief. Hence, he is also set to go to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) along with his franchise Kings XI Punjab (KXIP).

The 28-year-old has been a part of the Punjab franchise since 2018 and has scored 306 runs in 14 matches at a decent strike-rate of 134.80. Nair was the first high-profile Indian cricketer to fall prey to the wrath of the coronavirus. In India, over two million cases have been registered thus far which is the third-highest after the United States of America (USA) and Brazil.

Karun Nair to undergo three more tests

As per ESPNcricinfo, Nair cleared the COVID-19 test after being in self-isolation for over two weeks. But according to KXIP’s protocol, Nair will have to undergo three more tests after which he could board the flight on Thursday, August 20. The Rajasthan-born will be a part of a group in Bangalore that will be boarding a flight, carrying a number of players and support staff.

As far as the IPL is concerned, Nair was the second person, associated with the tournament, to be infected with the virus. Prior to him, Dishant Yagnik, Rajasthan Royals’ fielding coach, had tested positive for the virus as well. Bearing in mind how contagious the coronavirus has been, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has laid out mandatory testing processes.

The personnel, involved with the IPL, will have to undergo a number of tests and serve a week-long quarantine upon reaching the UAE. Also, any person, on landing in the UAE, will have to provide a negative test result, taken in the previous 96 hours.

The virus has affected India to such an extent that the IPL had to be shifted out of the country and moved to the UAE. The tournament is set to get underway on September 19 with the final to be held on November 10. Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi are the venues for the T20 event.