IPL 2020: Ruturaj Gaikwad likely to miss first few games after undergoing 2 more COVID-19 tests

MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings have had a shaky start ahead of their IPL 2020 campaign. The Chennai franchise was jolted after 13 members of its squad test positive for coronavirus. To plunge more misery, two CSK mainstays– Harbhajan Singh and Suresh Raina decided to withdraw from this year’s IPL.

IPL 2020 is less than a week away and CSK have finally received a piece of positive news. Out of those 13 positive tested members, two were players– Rutujraj Gaikwad and Deepak Chahar. While Chahar has recovered from the virus and is cleared to resume training, Gaikwad is yet to undergo two mandatory COVID-19 tests. He is unlikely to feature in the opening few fixtures of CSK but the youngster is set to pave his way back in team hotel bubble.

“Ruturaj will undergo two tests as per protocol, today and tomorrow. If he tests negative, he will be back in the team hotel bubble. The other staff members have tested negative and are now back to normal. They are back in team bubble,” CSK CEO KS Viswanathan said as quoted by India Today.

Ruturaj Gaikwad will have to abide by the SOPs in places

Maharashtra batsman Gaikwad, who has also been a part of India A squad, is expected to fill the void left by vice-captain Raina. 23-year-old Gaikwad had tested COVID-19 positive a few days after Chahar. After clearing his designated tests on Monday and Tuesday, Gaikwad will be eager to join the Yellow Army.

However, he will have to abide by the SOPs in places and he will have to undergo cardiovascular and lung function tests after clearing mandatory COVID-19 tests. After clearing his tests and proving his fitness, he will be available for selection post a week.

MS Dhoni and his troops will kick-off their IPL 2020 voyage by locking horns with defending champions Mumbai Indians in the season-opener. Gaikwad, after missing the opening fixture and a possibly a few more games, will be aiming to deliver key performances for the franchise. CSK have been one of the most successful sides of the IPL, having won the trophy on three occasions.

All the matches of IPL 2020 are set to take place in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi in three different legs. CSK’s training was delayed in the wake of confirmed COVID-19 cases but they’ve been toiling in the nets since the past few days. CSK will certainly aim to get back on track and march towards their fourth IPL title this year.