Two members of the MS Dhoni led Chennai Super Kings(CSK) franchise have tested positive for COVID19 and later tested negative, the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 confirmed on Monday.
CSK Staff members tested positive for COVID19
CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan, bowling coach L Balaji and a bus cleaner have reportedly returned positive results. These tests were RT-PCR tests, conducted over the last 48 hours. Balaji was in the CSK dressing room in their last match vs Mumbai Indians.
According to Espn Cricinfo – CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan, Bowling Coach Balaji and Bus Cleaner has been tested positive for COVID-19.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 3, 2021
Rapid antigen tests Confirm Negative
However, rapid antigen tests conducted on Monday afternoon indicated a negative test for all three, spreading massive confusion within the ecosystem.
According to TOI – Rapid Antigen Tests conducted on Today afternoon indicated a negative test for COVID-19 for Balaji, CSK CEO and Bus Cleaner in #CSK camp.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 3, 2021
IPL 2021 is being played in bio-bubbles across 6 cities – Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Bengaluru.
As per the IPL guidelines, players or franchise members who test positive for Covid have to spend 10 days in isolation and then return 2 negative tests before they can be allowed to rejoin the bubble.
The news from the CSK camp comes just hours after two Kolkata Knight Riders players tested positive for coronavirus which forced IPL organisers to postpone Monday’s match. KKR were scheduled to take on Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy and pacer Sandeep Warrior are the two players who contracted coronavirus, the tournament officials confirmed.
KKR had played a match against Delhi Capitals (DC) recently. The BCCI said its medical team is also keeping a close eye on players and staff who would have got into casual contacts with the two KKR players.
