Young Chennai Super Kings batsman Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was among the two cricketers to test COVID-19 positive, will miss IPL 2020 opener. Meanwhile, the Super Kings will lock horns with the defending champions in the tournament opener on September 19 at the Dubai International Stadium.

Gaikwad, along with Deepak Chahar and 11 other members tested for the novel coronavirus. Since then, they remained in self-isolation. After the mandatory quarantine period, all members excluding Ruturaj Gaikwad joined the entire squad.

Ruturaj ruled out of IPL 2020 opener

The young batsman took some more time to recover. Currently, he is completely asymptomatic after completing his two-weeks of quarantine. However, he is yet to clear the two COVID-19 tests which will allow him to join the squad. Also, Ruturaj will have to clear a fitness test as per BCCI’s protocol to resume training.

“We are waiting for BCCI to give us clearance on Gaikwad. He has to undergo the fitness tests [as well],” Kasi Viswanathan, Super Kings’ chief executive officer, told ESPNcricinfo.

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Furthermore, Viswanathan said that the picture will be clear in another two days and post that, it will be possible to get an idea on Ruturaj Gaikwad’s return. Meanwhile, many tipped him to take the No.3 spot in the absence of Suresh Raina, who pulled out of IPL 2020 owing to personal reasons.