Dhoni- led CSK will start training soon after 13 members test Covid - ve

● While their rivals have already begun their preparations for the upcoming IPL season, Chennai Super Kings are in an extended room quarantine.

After a series of setbacks, Chennai Super Kings on Tuesday moved a step closer to kicking off their IPL preparations. While the 13 Coronavirus- infected members, including two players, who are staying in a separate hotel in isolation will be tested only after the mandatory 14- day quarantine period, the rest of the team cleared another test on Tuesday.

Chennai Super Kings CEO K. S. Viswanathan said there will be one more test on Thursday. “Only after we get the test result on Friday can we confirm the training date. Hopefully, we will be able to hit the ground this weekend. Two players who are currently in isolation can join later if they clear the tests,” Viswanathan told this newspaper.

While their rivals have already begun their preparations, CSK are in an extended room quarantine. Viswanathan said the support staff, led by coach Stephen Fleming and his deputy Michael Hussey, are engaging players in online sessions.

“Apart from that, our trainer and physio are giving instructions over Zoom calls on how to train indoors,” said Viswanathan.

Viswanathan said Super Kings will definitely play warm- up games if the organisers can arrange them. “I think all the teams want to play some warm- up games,” he added.

The CSK team management hasn’t decided if they need a replacement for Suresh Raina, who has returned to India.

BHAJJI’S ARRIVAL DELAYED

Veteran off- spinner Harbhajan Singh who was expected to join the CSK camp on Tuesday has delayed his arrival. While speculation is rife that Harbhajan is in a dilemma over going to Dubai, Viswanathan said the bowler hadn’t said no yet.

“He said he would let us know ( arrival date) by tomorrow. We are expecting him by the end of this week,” he said.

Meanwhile, South Africans Faf du Plessis and Lungi Ngidi joined the CSK bio- bubble on Tuesday.

Imran Tahir, Sam Curran, Josh Hazlewood, Dwayne Bravo and Mitchell Santner are expected to reach Dubai after the conclusion of the Caribbean Premier League and EnglandAustralia ODI series.

I WILL BE IN ACTION SOON: CHAHAR

Deepak Chahar, who is in quarantine after testing positive, said on Tuesday that he was recovering. “Hopefully, I will be back in action soon.

“I am better now and trying my best to keep myself fit. Thanks for your wishes,” said Chahar in a video posted on his social media handle.