IPL 2020: Chennai Super Kings’ coronavirus-free players to start training on Friday

All Chennai Super Kings players, except for the coronavirus positive duo of pacer Deepak Chahar and batsman Ruturaj Gaikwad, have tested negative for Covid-19 once again and will start training from Friday in Dubai.

The coronavirus-free players were made to undergo two additional tests after 13 cases were confirmed last week, delaying the team’s training. The two infected players will be undergoing two tests after completing their 14-day quarantine.

“The training starts from today. All others, apart from the 13, tested negative for the third time. Those who tested positive will only be tested after the isolation period (two weeks) is over,” CSK CEO KS Viswanathan was quoted as saying by PTI.

BCCI is also set to announce the fixtures for the tournament on Saturday.

Chennai Super Kings are the only team who have not begun training in the UAE. 13 of their members, including 2 India players tested positive for the novel coronavirus last week. All the 13 members are in isolation and will undergo tests after the mandatory 14-day quarantine period. All the members who tested positive for Covid-19 are stable.

CSK have had a rough start at the yet-to-begin tournament, losing vice-captain Suresh Raina, who left the squad for ‘personal reasons’ last month amid speculation of a falling out with senior management.

Earlier on Thursday, BCCI sources told India Today that the board is confident of starting the much-anticipated season with the marquee clash between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians. CSK and MI were scheduled to play the opener before the T20 tournament was postponed due to the pandemic.