IPL 2020: Deepak Chahar available to play opener against MI, Ruturaj again tests positive for COVID-19

Chennai Super Kings’s pacer, Deepak Chahar is ready to play the opening match of the 13th edition of Indian Premier League (IPL 2020) against Mumbai Indians. While middle-order Ruturaj Gaikwad has tested positive for COVID-19 once again.

Deepak Chahar and Ruturaj Gaikwad are the two players in the Chennai Super Kings contingent to test positive for COVID-19. Deepak Chahar having recovered from the coronavirus only last week, Chahar started bowling at the nets only from last Friday. And Ruturaj Gaikwad is still under quarantine and is understood to be asymptomatic, but he is yet to clear the two mandatory COVID-19 tests put in place by the IPL for him to re-join the squad.

According to CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan, the 28-year-old is now all set to be available for CSK’s first match in the IPL against Mumbai Indians on September 19. 

“We are very happy with how he has progressed. He is bowling well at the nets and looks to be in good shape. We are confident that he will be fit and ready for our first game,” Viswanathan told TOI from Dubai on Tuesday.

Though Chahar has cleared all the test placed by BCCI for the players recovering from Coronavirus, still there is doubt about his place in playing XI.

“I can’t say much about team composition but Chahar is very eager to play the first game. We will take a call before the match,” said Viswanathan.

Commenting on the Ruturaj, Viswanathan said, “The BCCI has strict protocols in place for COVID-positive players and we are adhering to it. Even though Gaikwad is asymptomatic, he has to clear a couple of tests before being certified fit by the BCCI. So we don’t want to rush things and hope he recovers completely before joining the squad.”