CSK squad affected by COVID-19; one player and several staff members tested positive

Hours before the start of their training in Dubai for the Indian Premier League, news has emerged that a CSK player and several staff members have been tested positive for COVID-19.

It has been reported that the player who tested positive for the virus is an Indian fast bowler, probably either one of Deepak Chahar or Shardul Thakur. Other than the pacer, the number of support staff to have tested positive is 12. All the members of the Chennai Super Kings who have tested positive for Covid-19 are stable and have been isolated. CSK are following all safety protocols, as per the directions of the health officials the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) SOPs.

The player in question tested positive for Covid-19 on Days 1 and 3 of the mandatory testing period in Dubai. According to the BCCI SOPs, players and support staff who arrive in the UAE should give 3 Tests — Day 1, Day 3, and Day 6. After all three successful tests, players will be allowed to enter the biosecure bubble.

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The SOPs also state that the player and support staff need to be in isolation for 2 weeks. After 2 weeks of isolation, the individual must return 2 negative PCR test reports done 24 hours apart before being permitted to re-enter the bio-secure environment.

Cardiac screening is also compulsory before resuming team activities. All individuals within a Bio-Secure Environment will be tested every fifth day throughout the IPL 2020 season.

TOI reported that the squad members had tested positive right after landing in Dubai. CSK now have no choice but to extend their quarantine period for another week. The squad had reached Dubai a week ago and were scheduled to start training from today, having completed their 6-day quarantine period.

In addition to the three mandatory COVID tests mandated by the BCCI upon reaching the United Arab Emirates, as a result of the positive cases, the entire CSK squad had to undergo a fourth test today, whose result will be out tomorrow.

A source though said that CSK had taken all the necessary precautions upon reaching Dubai. The source told TOI, “Even when football started in Europe, a few players had tested positive. So with eight IPL teams and over 1000 members, this was a possibility. This could have happened to any team. It is just unlucky that it has happened to CSK despite taking all kinds of precautions.”

CSK organised a short conditioning camp in Chepauk, Chennai before departing for the United Arab Emirates. The camp was held for 6 days and had skipper MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Piyush Chawla, Deepak Chahar and bowling coach Lakshmipathy Balaji as its attendees.

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Although CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan was reluctant on organising the camp in Chennai, he was convinced by MS Dhoni to do so. Viswanathan said, “When we announced that the tournament [IPL] is going to happen, I had reservations about conducting the camp here because of the bio-bubble which we will have to observe. In fact, I even sent a message to him whether it will be worthwhile having a camp of five days before we leave for Dubai. But captain [Dhoni] was crystal clear in his thoughts.”

“Dhoni reasoned that the Chennai experience would also help players to understand the basics of what being a bubble meant. He said: ‘No, Sir, we have not played for nearly 4-5 months. All of us need to get together. We should be in Chennai, in a bio-bubble, so that we get used to that when we land in Dubai. And also will help the boys getting in shape.’ This camp, though we had some reservations, has really helped. And I am very happy we were able to host the camp.”