IPL 2020: Ruturaj Gaikwad ruled out of season opener against Mumbai Indians

Ruturaj Gaikwad, one of the two players who had tested COVID-19 positive, has finished his two-week quarantine and is understood to be asymptomatic. However, the youngster will not be available for selection in CSK’s opening fixture against defending champions Mumbai Indians on September 19th.

After finishing his quarantine period, 23-year-old Gaikwad is yet to clear the two mandatory COVID-19 tests which will let him re-join the squad.

“We are waiting for BCCI to give us clearance on Gaikwad. He has to undergo the fitness tests [as well],” Kasi Viswanathan, Super Kings’ chief executive officer, told ESPNcricinfo.

Viswanathan revealed that it could probably take another two days to get a clear idea of Gaikwad’s return. All CSK members who had tested positive for COVID-19 were moved out of the team hotel immediately. According to IPL’s medical guidelines, an individual residing in the bio-secure bubble has to isolate for 14 days after testing positive. After testing negative twice on consecutive days and undergoing medical tests, the player can start training with the squad.

Along with Gaikwad, pacer Deepak Chahar was the other player who had tested positive for COVID-19. He also underwent a similar process but recovered in time ahead of CSK’s opening fixture of the tournament.

Gaikwad had an impressive run in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy where he scored 419 runs in 11 innings at a strike rate of 146.30. His tally was only second to Devdutt Padikkal’s 580 runs in 12 innings. Gaikwad, who predominantly bats at No.3 position for India A, is touted to fill the void left by Suresh Raina.

CSK scheduled to play three matches in the first week of IPL 2020
Viswanathan also revealed that the IPL has still not given its final word on whether players arriving from the England vs Australia series have to undergo a six-day quarantine. The Chennai franchise will be bolstered by the arrival of Australia’s Josh Hazlewood and England’s Sam Curran. Viswanathan confirmed that all the players arriving from the Caribbean Premier League, including Imran Tahir and Dwayne Bravo, will be available for the first IPL 2020 match.

CSK, who have three IPL titles under their belt, are scheduled to play three matches in the first week of the tournament. After the season-opener against Rohit Sharma-led MI, CSK will play Rajasthan Royals on September 22nd, followed by Delhi Capitals on September 25th.