IPL members Lakshmipathy Balaji and Varun Chakravarthy talked about their way to recovery from Covid-19.
Several Covid-19 positive cases had come to light from multiple IPL franchises. First cases emerged from Kolkata Knight Riders camp when Chakravarthy and Sandeep Warrier were found positive. Later, three members of Chennai Super Kings staff, including Balaji were reported positive.
Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Balaji and Chakravarthy reflected on their time in quarantine and compared it to a ‘Man vs Wild’ episode – Discovery’s show based on survival starring Bear Grylls.
“As I was isolating on my own having tested positive for Covid-19, a thought crossed my mind: recovering from Covid-19, both physically and mentally, is like experiencing an episode of Man vs Wild,”
L Balaji recalled.
“On May 2, I was feeling a bit of uneasiness. I had body ache and a mild nose block. I was tested the same day around mid-afternoon. By May 3 morning, I had tested positive. I was shocked. I had done nothing to breach the norms to endanger my and rest of the bubble’s safety,”
He insisted.
Balaji admitted that it took him a while to realise the gravity of the situation and that he was worried about other members of the CSK squad – Cheteshwar Pujara, Robin Uthappa, Deepak Chahar – with whom he had been in close contact. Former India seamer expressed his thoughts for the many people who have suffered in the pandemic.
“It is a journey of survival is how I look at it. Lakhs of people have been affected, and most of them recovered, but many were not lucky to survive due to different reasons.
It has been an intense situation. In my career I have encountered several challenges, but it is different battle we are going through dealing with the pandemic,”
he said.
‘I just had to find ways to get through the day’: Chakravarthy
KKR spinner described his experience, saying that it was hard to keep the mind distracted. He admitted being worried about everything that was going on in the country. Chakravarthy also revealed that his family members were affected by the pandemic.
“The toughest thing about contracting Covid-19 is keeping your mind distracted, and away from all that was happening. Because you are alone, away from your family and team-mates.”
“My first reaction was feeling worried, not only for myself, but also for what was happening around us in the country.
Even a few of my family members were affected by Covid-19. It wasn’t easy, but as professionals we had to find ways to go about our work in the best possible way,”
Chakravarthy told ESPNcricinfo.
Chakravarthy, who was KKR’s lead spinner, picked 7 wickets at an economy rate of 7.82 before the tournament was postponed. He talked about the repetitive routine one has to endure during isolation. He also revealed the role the KKR franchise and the owner Shah Rukh Khan played for the well-being of all the players.
“I was in isolation for 12 days. There’s a bit of sameness to your routine: being in the same room, having the same food almost.
But I just had to find ways to get through the day. The KKR franchise was very supportive. Shah Rukh Khan (Knight Riders’ co-owner) spoke to all the players individually and motivated us,”
Chakravarthy stated.
