|| Desk Report ||

While the recent news came about the Chennai Super Kings’ staff members getting affected by the global pandemic novel COVID-19, another news has become a big blow for Chennai as their key batsman Suresh Raina has returned home owing to personal reasons and he won't be available for entire Indian Premier League season, confirmed team CEO KS Viswanathan.

Although the reason for Raina's return is not clear, the franchise has supported him well.

However, this is not the end as their pace bowler Deepak Chahar had tested positive for COVID-19. Meanwhile, all the players had attended for a preparatory camp in Chennai before reaching UAE where the 2020 IPL season will be played.

Recently, Suresh Raina has announced his retirement from international cricket. That has put an end on his 13 years career where he had played 18 Tests, 226 ODIs and 78 T20Is. Meanwhile, he has played 193 games for Chennai Super Kings where he has scored over 5,000 runs at a strike rate of more than 137 and claimed 25 wickets.

Meanwhile, the franchise has extended their quarantine period after the reached in Dubai on August 21. They were expected to begin their training on Friday (August 28) but now they are the last team to start their training before the start of the cash-rich league.

On the other hand, the franchise has conducted a six-day long conditioning camp. CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan had said that it was MS Dhoni who convinced him to do so.

"When we announced that the tournament is going to happen, I had reservations about conducting the camp here because of the bio-bubble which we will have to observe," Viswanathan said. "In fact, I even sent a message to him whether it will be worthwhile having a camp of five days before we leave for Dubai. But captain (Dhoni) was crystal clear in his thoughts."