Deepak Chahar rejoins Chennai Super Kings squad after recovering from Covid-19

In a boost to the Chennai Super Kings, Deepak Chahar has recovered completely from Covid-19 and regrouped with the squad. The seamer, who is a BCCI contracted player with a Grade C retainer, has not yet started training, though. Ruturaj Gaikwad, the other player who was tested positive, is understood to be still in quarantine as he had started his isolation period at a later date.

Nearly a week after landing in the UAE, the Super Kings suffered a setback when 13 members - including two players, several of the backroom staff and a few net bowlers - of their set-up tested positive for Covid-19. All those people were moved immediately to a separate isolation facility.

As per the IPL's protocols, those testing positive would need to undergo two-week quarantine followed by two further tests. Once the results for those two tests are negative, the person can rejoin the set-up.

Deeback Chahar! #WhistlePodu #Yellove pic.twitter.com/muWNCiB2KF

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) September 9, 2020

"Except for the Indian batsman, who is in quarantine, all others have come out. The Indian fast bowler has tested negative twice and is back," Kasi Viswanathan, the Super Kings' CEO told ESPNcricinfo. As for the Indian uncapped player, Viswanathan said that this individual was still under quarantine but was "fine with no symptoms". This player is expected to finish his quarantine on September 12.

According to Viswanathan, Chahar has to undergo further fitness tests, including a cardio test, put in place by the BCCI's medical team before he starts training.

The news is a positive development for the Super Kings, who will play the tournament opener against defending champions Mumbai Indians in Dubai on September 19. The Super Kings are yet to name replacements for Suresh Raina and Harbhajan Singh, both of whom opted out of this edition for "personal reasons." While Raina returned to India from Dubai having found living in the bio-secure bubble a challenge, Singh never joined the Super Kings squad in the UAE.