IPL 2020: CSK pacer, staff members test positive for Covid-19

New Delhi: Chennai Super Kings IPL season has run into complications after at least 10 members of the franchise tested positive for COVID-19. Kings had decided to extend the mandatory six-day quarantine in UAE.

CSK along with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and defending champions Mumbai Indians had arrived in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on August 21 for IPL 2020, which is scheduled to begin on September 19.

Chennai Super Kings, who were expected to kick off their pre-season camp on Friday for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020, had decided to extend the mandatory six-day quarantine in UAE. Reports now suggest that the franchise took the decision after several members from the CSK contingent tested positive for COVID-19.

“Yes, a right-arm medium fast bowler, who has recently played for India, along with a few staff members have tested positive for Covid-19,” a senior IPL source told PTI on conditions of anonymity. “As far as we know, one of the senior-most officials of the CSK management and his wife, and at least two members of their social media team are also Covid-19 positive.”

After their arrival in UAE, every franchise was asked to stay in a bio-security bubble. Covid-19 tests were conducted on the players on Day1, day 3 as well as day 5.

Keeping the coronavirus situation across the world, IPL 2020 was shifted to UAE. The UAE government had issued strict protocols where all franchises arrived in UAE with two Covid-19 negative reports for every member.

Sixty games will be played over 53 days across three venues in the UAE — Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.