The most lucrative T20 league of The World IPL is hit with Corona Virus news. The Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings who had a five-Day Training Camp in Chennai before their arrival in the United Arab Emirates find themselves in hot waters after several members of their contingent are found COVID-19 positive. As per the latest reports only one Indian player tests positive while rest of them belong to support staff fraternity.
Wife of a senior CSK official is also among the unfortunate one’s though the official himself is tested negative. The infected persons are moved to another site away from team hotel and are being provided medical facilities behind closed doors. The infected persons will now have to spend a minimum of two weeks in quarantine and clear out a couple of Corona Tests before they can rejoin the huddle. However, there are concerns regarding the spread of novel disease among other members of the squad as well.
Questions are being raised on whether it was necessary to set up a camp in one of the most affected Corona areas of India. Super Kings CEO Kasi Viswanathan revealed that he had reservations about Chennai camp but it was Dhoni who found it essential for players for the better understanding of bio-secure bubble
“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,” Viswanathan said in a Super Kings video published on YouTube on August 26. “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.”, the CEO said.
Super Kings who earlier had to start their practice session by Friday are now asked to postpone it. IPL is scheduled to take place from 19th of September and Chennai Super Kings is likely to play the opening game of the tournament against defending champions Mumbai Indians. The Tournament schedule is yet to be finalized but the recent development is surely a huge blow for CSK and IPL management.