Varun Chakravarthy yet to recover fully despite testing negative, hopeful of starting training soon

Varun Chakravarthy, who was the first player from the Indian Premier League bio-bubble to test positive for COVID-19, is yet to fully recover from the after-effects of the virus and is not fit enough to resume his training duties. He is still feeling 'weakness and dizziness' and is currently recovering at home.

Two days after Chakravarthy tested positive, the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League was suspended indefinitely after more cases started getting reported inside respective bio-bubbles. 

Having tested negative on May 11, the mystery spinner is currently at his Chennai residence trying to get back to full fitness. 

“I’m now doing well and recovering at home. I still haven’t been able to resume training full-tilt because of post-Covid-19 symptoms. Although I don’t have cough or fever, there is weakness and dizziness,” Chakravarthy was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

“The loss of smell and taste is still intermittent, but I’m confident of being able to resume training soon,” he further added. 

With the second wave of COVID-19 having created a ruckus all across the country, Chakravarthy’s first-hand message to his fellow athletes is to not take the virus lightly and give their body at least a couple of weeks to recover after testing negative for the virus. He urged the other athletes to give their body time to cope with the after-effects of the virus. 

“The thing I’ve learnt and would like to tell other athletes and individuals recovering from Covid-19 is to give your body at least two weeks to fully recover after you test negative. Also, even after people test negative, my advice is for them to continue to mask up so that you keep others around you safe,” Chakravarthy said. 

While India had a tough time dealing with the first wave last year, things have worsened drastically this time around. With thousands of death being reported all across the country on a daily basis, it becomes a mental issue for a particular individual who tested positive for COVID-19. 

“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. To keep myself occupied, I read books by Osho to give me a sense of calm,” said Chakravarthy.

The off-spinner who was an integral part of the Kolkata Knight Riders set-up in the 14th edition of the IPL first felt the symptoms back on 1st May when he got tired very early in the training session and felt that something was not right. He reported the issue directly and subsequently he was isolated from the rest of the group. 

“As to how it all started, I felt something was slightly off on May 1. I felt tired. There was no cough whatsoever, but I had little fever, so I didn’t attend our training session,” the spinner said. 

“I immediately informed the team management and they arranged for an RT-PCR test quickly. I was immediately quarantined and isolated, away from the rest of my KKR teammates, in a separate wing of the hotel. Soon, I found out that I’d tested positive," he further added. 

He felt a bit worried not only because he had contracted the virus but also for the whole country which has been going through such severe times. Even some of his family members were affected by the deadly virus. 

“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 said.