New Delhi: Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni has tested negative for COVID-19 and will now be arriving in Chennai for a one-week training camp on Friday ahead of the 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The tournament is set to start on September 19 in the UAE.
In accordance with the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) Standard Operating Procedure before arriving at the franchise’s city of choice for a training camp, they will undergo another round of testing after arriving in Chennai.
IPL 2020 was originally scheduled to start on March 29 with CSK scheduled to face Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede in the season opener. However, the tournament had initially been postponed to April 15 and then indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing lockdown in the country.
Earlier it had been revealed that Rajasthan Royals’ fielding coach Dishant Yagnik has tested positive for coronavirus. The test was undertaken keeping in mind that the team members need to assemble in Mumbai next week for their flight to the UAE.
Chennai Super Kings’ training camp will also feature the likes of Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh and Ambati Rayudu. All-rounder Jadeja will be the only prominent name to miss the camp. He will reach Chennai in time to join his teammates before they depart on August 21.
Bowling coach Lakshmipathy Balaji is likely to be the only member of the coaching staff present at the Chennai camp. Head coach Stephen Fleming and assistant coach Michael Hussey are likely to join the squad in Dubai on August 22.
IPL 2020 will be Dhoni’s first cricketing assignment after 2019 World Cup. All eyes will be on the veteran to prove his worth in the cash-rich league.
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