The player who reportedly has tested positive for Covid is a right-handed top-order batsman, who has consistently been part of India A teams in recent past and is a prolific performer in Ranji Trophy. On Friday, CSL seamer Deepak Chahar had tested positive along with 12 members of the contingent in Dubai.
“Suresh Raina has returned to India for personal reasons and will be unavailable for the remainder of the IPL season. Chennai Super Kings offers complete support to Suresh and his family during this time,” CSK tweeted CEO Kasi Viswanathan’s statement.
CSK’s quarantine period in Dubai has already been extended till September 1.
“Suresh’s absence will be a big blow for the CSK and also, he is one of the biggest draws in IPL. But in these times, if any player doesn’t feel 100 per cent and has some other pressing priorities, any team respects that and CSK is no different,” a senior IPL official privy to development in CSK camp told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
Earlier on Friday, the three-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings received a major blow ahead of the much anticipated 2020 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
As per reports, 12 support staff members and one fast-bowler of the franchise have tested positive for the dreaded Coronavirus (Covid-19).
Deepak Chahar, who has been identified as the seamer testing Covid-19 positive, has been a pivotal part of the Chennai Super Kings franchise since 2018. He made his debut in the Indian Premier League in 2016 for Rising Pune Supergiants.
In his two seasons with CSK so far, he has scalped 32 wickets in 29 matches, and been a major contributor to his team's march to the final of the IPL 2019, taking 22 wickets throughout the season.