These are not the easiest of times for Chennai Super Kings. The franchise’s CEO K.S. Viswanathan, though, was optimistic about the team’s prospects.
Speaking to The Hindu from Dubai, where CSK is based, Viswanathan opted to look at the brighter side of things. “Out of the 13 from our group who have tested positive for COVID-19, only two [Deepak Chahar and Ruturaj Gaikwad] are players. The rest are net bowlers and members of the social media team,” he said.
Test on Thursday
The CSK players, apart from Chahar and Ruturaj, will undergo a COVID-19 test on Thursday. “If they clear that, they can start their practice sessions from Friday,” Viswanathan said.
As for Chahar and Ruturaj, they have been quarantined from the team for two weeks — from the time they failed the COVID screening — and will have to undergo two more tests. Only if they clear them would the two be available for the tournament opener on September 19.
The schedule of matches is not yet out but as per the norms, last year’s runner-up CSK will take on the winner, Mumbai Indians, to kick start the competition.
Viswanathan said, “We are a confident group. We are ready to take on Mumbai Indians in the first game if that is what the schedule says.”
Despite being hit by COVID-19 and then losing its star batsman Suresh Raina, Viswanathan said, “We are a happy team. We like challenges. Difficult situations bring the best out of us.”
Viswanathan revealed that experienced off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, who was expected to reach Dubai on September 1, was yet to land in the UAE. “Harbhajan said he would let me know about his plans in a couple of days.”
CSK is putting its pieces together after the early setbacks.