The BCCI has reportedly raised concerns about the five-day training camp organized by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Chennai before leaving for Dubai to take sides in IPL 2020. The camp came into focus after a limited shutter seamer from India and several other members of the CSK team tested positive for Covid-19 on Friday.
“CSK practiced in Chennai for three days out of the five days. Was any tangible profit made from that camp? “a BCCI official told PTI.
While CSK had obtained the necessary government permits before proceeding with the camp in Chennai, the fact that the camp’s location, Chepauk Stadium, is at an access point cannot be ignored. Tamil Nadu has registered more than 4 lakh of cases so far.
It could not be immediately confirmed whether BCCI will release an official statement on the matter confirming the player’s name and staff members, but BCCI officials have reportedly had a conversation with CSK management.
The franchise has yet to release a formal statement, but a league source told PTI that the number of positive cases could be between 10 and 12.
“Yes, a right arm medium speed bowler, who recently played for India in cue ball cricket, along with some staff members tested positive for Covid-19. The number could go up to 12, ”said the main IPL source on condition of anonymity.
The development has forced the party led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni to extend the quarantine period until September 1.
While there is panic on the BCCI grassroots after this, it is understood that, at the moment, there is no imminent threat to the league, which moved from India this year due to the pandemic.
The scheduling convention followed at the IPL are two finalists from the previous year playing the opening game that would have been the Chennai Super Kings and the defending champions Mumbai Indians this season. However, it is still unclear if CSK would be ready for the league opener on September 19.
The source revealed that all positive Covid-19 results occurred during days 1, 3 and 6 of the tests after the contingent arrived in Dubai.
“To our knowledge, one of CSK’s top management, the wife of an official, and at least two members of his social media team are also positive for Covid-19. There are a couple of net pitchers that also tested positive, ”she said.
According to BCCI’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), all those who test positive are mandated to go through an additional 14-day quarantine.
They can enter the biosecure bubble only after testing negative after prolonged isolation. All members of the jumbo contingent, who tested positive, are understood to be “largely asymptomatic.”
The biggest challenge will be tracking those who came into contact with these contingent members, as most of them are understood to have contracted the virus in Chennai, where the team had a short training camp before heading to Dubai.
“If you see, they all tested negative for Covid during the two RT-PCR tests performed in Chennai before their departure. If they had been positive, they would not have been able to board the flight in the first place, ”said the league source.
It is understood that those who have tested negative will be able to enter the bio-bubble. However, the IPL source believes that the probability of the team’s camp starting on September 1 is slim.
“I don’t think they can start the camp after September 1. It will be at least until September 5 before they can even think about resuming camp, ”he said.
Previously, Rajasthan Royals field coach Dishant Yagnik had tested positive in India.
(With PTI inputs)
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