Deepak, along with 12 other members of the CSK contingent, tested positive for the coronavirus two weeks back. As a consequence, the 28-year-old stayed in isolation and underwent the mandatory two-week quarantine before testing negative twice and returning to the team hotel.

Having got the go-ahead from the BCCI medical team, Deepak hit the ground running, prior to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). “I am preparing well and I am in shape. I bowled for the first time and I am feeling pretty well. In the upcoming days, I will be taking it forward,” said Deepak in a video posted by the franchise.

Talking about the 14-day quarantine that followed the positive COVID-19 test last month, he added: “It was difficult. I watched the team’s practice sessions on Instagram. I always take things positively. I tried to do some exercises and training to stay fit. I also shared a few posts on social media for my fans.”

Deepak, captain MS Dhoni’s go-to man in the powerplay overs, was spotted on the sidelines of an intra-squad game in Dubai. He felt that his teammates, especially Shane Watson, Murali Vijay and Lungi Ngidi, are in fine nick leading up to the tournament opener between Super Kings and Mumbai Indians (MI) on September 19.

“Watson smashed the ball really well. Hopefully, he continues the same for the next two months. Vijay hit some boundaries over covers and is pumped up for IPL. When Lungi started bowling, it was pretty hot. But, he managed it quite well,” he said.

“I didn’t expect grass on the wicket here in Dubai. There is bounce. It is also a wicket to score runs. Altogether, it was good match practice for us.” Meanwhile, top-order batsman Ruturaj Gaikwad, who also tested positive in August, will rejoin the squad upon completing the two-week quarantine.