The 'Whistle Poddu' Brigade has been hit by the coronavirus pandemic as thirteen of their personal including two players tested positive for the novel coronavirus. To add to the franchise's covid-19 woes, the team's experienced campaigner and star batsman Suresh Raina ruled himself out of the entire season citing personal reasons.
While there seems to be a bit of pandemonium in the CSK camp, their iconic cricketer and seasoned captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni seems to be unfazed by the crisis which has engulfed the franchise and pushed back their preparations for the upcoming season.
Speaking out on the alarming rise in number of Covid-19 cases, CSK owner and former BCCI President N Srinivasan while interaction with Outlook said that the ever calm and composed CSK skipper MS Dhoni is in full control of the situation and assured him that there was nothing to be perturbed about despite the recent spate of cases in the
"I spoke to MS (Dhoni) and he has assured me that even if the numbers go up, there was nothing to worry about. He spoke to the players through a zoom call and asked them to remain safe. You really don't know who is a passive carrier. I have got a solid captain. Dhoni is simply unfazed by anything. That is giving everyone in the team a lot of confidence," Srinivasan seemed optimistic about the situation due to Dhoni's presence.
Srinivasan did not hold back about his disappointment over Raina's sudden move to get back to India and had some strong words to say. "Cricketers are like prima donnas ... like the temperamental actors of the olden days. Chennai Super Kings have always been like a family and all seniors players have learnt to co-exist. My thinking is that if you are reluctant or not happy, go back. I don't force anyone to do anything ... sometimes success gets into your head," concluded the 75-year-old.
CSK franchise did hold a 5-day preparatory camp in Chennai, before flying out to Dubai for the thirteenth edition of the IPL. With the camp coming under the radar of an alarming Covid-19 surge, the team will now have to play the catch-up game as every other franchise has kicked off training in full swing.
CSK Seamer Deepak Chahar, batsman Ruturaj Gaekwad and many members of the CSK outfit tested positive for the deadly novel virus, which has further the side's quarantine period till September 06.