Shah Rukh Khan didn't want me and Varun to be left alone in COVID: Sandeep Warrier

Just close to three weeks back, Sandeep Warrier and Varun Chakravarthy were the first of few members of the Indian Premier League 2021, who were tested positive for COVID-19. Once the news broke out, there was panic and when some of the other players also started returning positive, BCCI had to postpone the tournament by suspending it indefinitely. 

However, Tamil Nadu pacer Warrier has recovered from COVID-19 and spoke recently about how things had panned out for him during that difficult phase. During an interaction, he was asked how his franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders helped him through this entire problem which he faced. 

While explaining how the situation was handled, he revealed that the team doctor, manager, and logistics team member, stayed back with him and his teammate, Varun Chakravarthy. Panic struck when the two players were initially tested positive. It was later revealed that the two players might have contracted the virus when they had gone to the hospital to take some tests. 

Shah Rukh sir assured everyone that they will reach home safely, says Sandeep

“Our team doctor, Shrikant, and our manager (Wayne Bentley) and Raju (logistics) were staying back for me and Varun. They left only after we came negative. So we were fine,” Warrier said during the interview with News18. He further revealed that the team owner and Bollywood star, Shah Rukh Khan, also enquired about him and Chakravarthy. He said that SRK didn’t want them to be left alone and insisted that there was someone with them when they got sick. 

“After we tested positive, we had to isolate the whole team. The next day, IPL was called off. We had a virtual meeting in which everyone was asking about me and Varun. Shah Rukh sir also spoke to everyone saying you all will be taken back home safely and that there is nothing to worry about.

“For me and Varun, he was very adamant that there should be someone with us for the whole one week or 10 days after the tournament ended. Venky sir also stayed back for three days,” Warrier said. 

Venky Mysore, the CEO of the KKR team had stayed back with the players for three extra days, as revealed by Warrier. Unfortunately, Warrier was not seen in action this season. He warmed the bench for all the matches before the IPL 2021 came to a halt.