Speaking to ANI, sources familiar with the developments said that while they have not yet officially informed the franchise of their availability, the team is preparing for life minus Harbhajan in this edition of the cash-rich league.
“He has not sent any official communication and that is expected for tonight or tomorrow. But the team management has been told to prepare for the scenario in which they may lose their services,” the source said.
Last week, the news that Raina left the team and returned home was a huge shock, as she has been an integral part of the franchise since season one. While she played for the Gujarat Lions when CSK was suspended, she returned to the fold when CSK returned to the league in 2018.
While a lot has been said about Raina’s sudden departure, the former hitter from India has made it clear that it was a personal decision and that he came back for his family. While he added that one could see him on the team again this season, CSK as a cricket unit has not reacted to the same.
Previously, it came to light that two Chennai Super Kings players along with 11 support staff members had tested positive for coronavirus and that prompted the BCCI to issue a statement that strict protocols were being followed and that there was no reason to be concerned.
“13 staff members have tested positive of which 2 are players. All affected staff, as well as their close contacts, are asymptomatic and have been isolated from other team members. They are being monitored by the IPL Medical Team,” he had said the BCCI in an official release.
On September 1, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan confirmed that there are no new coronavirus cases in the contingent. He also said that those who tested positive before will be tested once again only after their 14-day quarantine period ends.
The CEO had said that there have been no new cases and that the contingent is negative, except for those that tested positive previously. “Those who tested positive before will be tested again only after 14 days,” he said.
.
