Kings XI Punjab Deny Reports Of Karun Nair Contracting COVID-19

Kings XI Punjab have denied media reports suggesting their batsman Karun Nair was tested positive for COVID-19 before recovering. Earlier in the day, ESPNCricinfo had reported that Karun Nair went into self-isolation for more than two weeks before testing negative for the virus.

The report also stated that the right-handed batsman tested negative on August 8. However, Kings XI Punjab have denied the reports. The franchise has stated that the Karnataka batsman had a mild fever and nothing else. The Punjab-based outfit also stated that Karun Nair is ‘perfectly alright’ at the moment.

“He had some mild fever, that’s all. Nothing to do with coronavirus. He’s perfectly alright,” Kings XI Chief Executive Satish Menon was quoted as saying by Reuters.

A Board of Control for Cricket in India source told PTI that Karun Nair returned a negative test on August 8 at the end of his quarantine. He will now have to clear three more tests like the rest of the contingent to be able to fly out to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on August 20.

“He is absolutely fine now. He was asymptomatic throughout and was feeling okay. His test came negative after two weeks and he has even resumed personal training. Now, he will be tested like all other squad members before the team leaves for UAE,” the source said.

Opportunity for Karun Nair to impress:

Karun Nair will be looking to make a mark in the upcoming season of IPL. The Karnataka player has played six Tests and two One-Day Internationals for India, scoring 374 runs. He has also made a triple-century in the Chennai Test against England in 2016, making him only the second Indian batsman to achieve the feat.

However, he has fallen down the pecking order as far as his chances with Team India are concerned and need to do really well in the coming days to brighten up his chances of getting another recall.

The IPL will be played in the UAE from September 19 to November 10.

Also Read: I Could Have Been A Bit More Free-Flowing- Joe Denly Admits Of Being Caught-Up In ‘Survival Mode’

Also Read: Sachin Tendulkar Reveals His Half-Century In Sialkot In 1989 As The Cornerstone For His Maiden Test Ton