IPL 2020: Chennai Super Kings extend quarantine, to train from September 1

Chennai Super Kings have extended their quarantine period and have postponed the start of their IPL training camp to September 1. The Super Kings landed in Dubai on August 21 and were expected to start training on Friday, but ESPNcricinfo understands they have extended their quarantine beyond the mandatory six-day period put in place by the IPL. The tournament begins on September 19, but the IPL is yet to announce a schedule.

It could not be confirmed exactly why the Super Kings have opted to stay indoors at the team hotel in Dubai. There has also been no official communication sent out by the franchise. Kasi Viswanathan, the Super Kings chief executive officer, did not respond to calls.

As per the IPL's Covid-19 protocols, all teams would have to undergo a test at the airport upon landing in the UAE followed by two tests at the team hotel on days 3 and 6 during the mandatory six-day quarantine at the hotel. Only after all test results come out negative the teams are allowed to start training.

ESPNcricinfo understands other teams are already monitoring the developments in the Super Kings camp. Another franchise official said they even urged the IPL to issue an advisory to all teams to update everybody about the test results of all teams.

The development also means the Super Kings will be the last franchise to start training for the tournament. Rajasthan Royals have already held two training sessions as they and Kolkata Knight Riders were the first two teams to land in the UAE (on August 20). The Knight Riders and defending champions Mumbai Indians - the two teams based in Abu Dhabi - will conduct their first training session on Friday. Delhi Capitals are scheduled to start their first training session on Saturday.

Before heading to the UAE, the Super Kings, who finished as runners-up last season, had conducted a short conditioning camp for the Indian players in Chennai. The six-day camp, which was held at Chepauk from August 15-20, was attended by captain MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Piyush Chawla, Deepak Chahar along with bowling coach L Balaji.

Earlier this week, Virat Kohli, the Royal Challengers Bangalore captain, had cautioned his squad to take the Covid-19 protocols seriously, warning them that anyone breaching the biosecure bubble could jeopardise the entire tournament.