Extending the isolation period, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have decided they won't begin training for the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) until September 1. The three-time champions arrived in Dubai on August 21 and were expected to practise after the necessary six-day quarantine phase from Friday (August 28).
However, according to a report from ESPNcricinfo, the Super Kings have now decided to be confined to their hotel rooms for extra three days. The reason for which is yet unconfirmed, with "no official communication sent out by the franchise. Kasi Viswanathan, the Super Kings chief executive officer, did not respond to calls," says the report.
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The Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the IPL 2020 amid COVID-19 pandemic mandate all teams undergoing a test at the airport upon landing to the gulf, followed by three tests on days 1, 3 and 6 during the quarantine phase at the hotels they are staying in. All results must turn out negative and then only players, support staff are allowed at training.
The ESPNcricinfo report states, "other teams are already monitoring the developments in the Super Kings camp. Another franchise official said they even urged the IPL to issue an advisory to all teams to update everybody about the test results of all teams."
The Super Kings will be the last team to resume training ahead of IPL 2020, starting September 19. Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) have already had two training sessions since arriving first in UAE on August 20.
Based in Abu Dhabi, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Mumbai Indians (MI) will have their first training session on August 28, as will Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), while Delhi Capitals (DC) will hit the ground running from August 29.
Before their UAE departure, last year's runners-up Super Kings had a six-day camp in Chennai for their Indian players, including skipper MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Piyush Chawla and Deepak Chahar.
