CSK's Ruturaj Gaikwad resumes training after negative Covid-19 tests

Ruturaj Gaikwad, the Chennai Super Kings batsman, is back inside the team's bio bubble after returning two Covid-19 negative tests following two weeks of isolation at a separate quarantine facility in Dubai. On Monday, the franchise confirmed on Twitter that Gaikwad had resumed training. It is yet unclear if this makes him eligible for selection for Super Kings' second game against Rajasthan Royals in Sharjah on Tuesday.

The first thing you wanna see on a Monday morning. Look who's back! #Ruturaj #WhistlePodu #Yellove pic.twitter.com/GXYIMs1OBx

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) September 21, 2020

As per the IPL's medical protocols, players who have tested positive in the bubble are to isolate at a separate quarantine facility for 14 days before returning two negative tests on consecutive days. After that, the player has to undergo medical tests put in place by the BCCI before he can return to training.

Gaikwad was one of the "10-12 members of the Super Kings contingent" who tested positive in the first week of testing upon arrival in UAE.

Unlike Deepak Chahar, the fast bowler, Gaikwad wasn't cleared immediately upon completion of his two-week quarantine, and wasn't available for selection during their IPL opener on Saturday, which Super Kings won.

In the wake of Suresh Raina's sudden withdrawal from IPL, Super Kings management are confident Gaikwad could fill in for him. Gaikwad has impressive credentials: he has scored more List A runs than anyone for India A over the last two years - 843 runs in 15 innings. Those runs have either come as an opener or at No. 3, the position Raina has mostly batted at for Super Kings.