L Balaji, Varun Chakravarthy narrate the experience of recovering from Covid-19
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the IPL Governing Council (GC) in a unanimous decision on 4th May 2021, decided to indefinitely suspend the 14th edition of the league keeping in mind the security of all the stakeholders involved in the league after as many as seven cases were reported across different bio-bubbles in different cities.
The first case that emerged in the league was when KKR spinner Varun Chakravarthy and Sandeep Warrier tested positive. Later on the same day, as many as three CSK support staff members including their bowling coach Lakshmipathy Balaji also tested positive. Once the news regarding SRH’s Wriddhiman Saha and DC’s Amit Mishra broke out, the management took the call in a bid to secure everyone involved with the league.
In a recent interaction with ESPNcricinfo, both Balaji and Chakravarthy gave a glimpse of their experience while recovering from Covid-19. Balaji went onto say that that recovery felt like an episode of Man vs Wild, the renowned survival show aired on Discovery featuring Bear Grylls.
I had done nothing to breach the norms: L Balaji
“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.”
“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.”
“Along with me, after the May 2 testing, two others including Kasi Viswanathan (Super Kings’ CEO) and a helping staff member had also tested positive. To ensure it was a false positive, we were tested again the same day. I tested positive for the second time. Promptly, I was moved to another floor at the team hotel, separate from the rest of the Super Kings squad,” said Balaji.
“I could not express my feelings. I knew people were dying outside. It took me another 24 hours to sink into the seriousness of the issue. I started to get worried about the others in my team who I was milling around with before I tested positive. Rajeev Kumar (CSK fielding coach), Robin Uthappa, Cheteshwar Pujara Deepak Chahar along with Kasi Sir were around me,” he added.
“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.
Toughest thing is keeping mind distracted: Varun Chakravarthy
Narrating his experience during recovery, Chakravarthy said: “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.”
“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,” said Chakravarthy.
“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.”
“I’m relieved to have recovered fully, but it’s tough to see so many people losing their lives. I realise how fortunate I’ve been to receive good treatment in this tough time. I’m just grateful for everything and pray everyone recovers and get back to their families,” he concluded.
