IPL 2020: Deepak Chahar to rejoin Chennai Super Kings after coronavirus recovery

Team says India fast bowler has returned two negative results and will undergo further tests to start training

Chennai Super Kings cricketer Deepak Chahar. AFP

Indian fast bowler Deepak Chahar has returned to the Chennai Super Kings bio-secure bubble after recovering from coronavirus ahead of the IPL.

Chahar was one of two Chennai players who tested positive for Covid-19 last month.

The team said he will need to undergo further fitness tests to start training for the Twenty20 tournament starting September 19 in Abu Dhabi when Chennai take on defending champions Mumbai Indians.

"Deepak Chahar has tested negative twice and is back in the team bubble," Chennai chief executive Kasi Viswanathan said.

The player will undergo further tests, including a cardio examination, under BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) medical team guidance before he can train.

Another uncapped Indian player, Ruturaj Gaikwad, is still in isolation and will rejoin the team imminently.

In addition to the players, 11 officials and staff from the Chennai team tested Covid positive after the squad landed in the UAE, where this year's tournament will be played exclusively due to the high number of Covid-19 cases in India.

The 13 positive cases were returned from nearly 2,000 tests that were undertaken between August 20-28, according to a statement by the organisers.

Two Chennai players, including senior batsman Suresh Raina and veteran spinner Harbhajan Singh, have since opted out due to "personal reasons".