Chennai Super Kings (CSK) pacer Deepak Chahar has "progressed" quite well despite starting training a week later than his teammates and is in "good shape" ahead of the opening game of the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) this Saturday (September 19) against Mumbai Indians (MI), said franchise CEO Kasi Viswanathan. 

Viswanathan informed that Deepak has been able to gradually regain his rhythm after being in extended isolation for testing COVID-19 positive and resuming practise only last Friday after recovery. 

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"We are very happy with how he has progressed. He is bowling well at the nets and looks to be in good shape. We are confident that he will be fit and ready for our first game," Viswanathan told the Times of India. 

"I can't say much about team composition but Chahar is very eager to play the first game. We will take a call before the match."

While Deepak's timely recovery is a good news for the Super Kings, the MS Dhoni-led side is, however, yet awaiting a positive development on middle-order batsman Rituraj Gaikwad, who had tested COVID-19 positive and remains in quarantine. 

With veteran Suresh Raina deciding to pull out of the tournament, Gaikwad was thought to be an exciting replacement in the first-choice XI. 

But the 23-year-old from Maharashtra is unlikely to play the first game now that he hasn't yet recovered and isn't allowed to rejoin the side. 

"The BCCI has strict protocols in place for Covid-positive players and we are adhering to it. Even though Gaikwad is asymptomatic, he has to clear a couple of tests before being certified fit by the BCCI. So we don't want to rush things and hope he recovers completely before joining the squad," said Viswanathan.