KKR’s Varun Chakravarthy Still Experiencing Post-COVID Symptoms

Varun Chakravarthy had contracted COVID-19 during the IPL. 

(Photo: BCCI/IPL)

Kolkata Knight Riders spin bowler Varun Chakravarthy is yet to fully recover from COVID-19 and is still feeling lethargic and dizzy due to which he hasn't been able to resume training, according to ESPNCricinfo.

The finger spinner was one of the four KKR players to test positive for COVID-19 during the Indian Premier League, which was postponed midway after four team bubbles were found to be pricked by the virus. Apart from Chakravarthy, pace bowlers Sandeep Warrier and Prasidh Krishna as well as New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman Tim Seifert also tested positive for the virus.

"I'm now doing well and recovering at home. I still haven't been able to resume training at full-tilt because of post-COVID-19 symptoms. Although I don't have cough or fever, there is weakness and dizziness. The loss of smell and taste is still intermittent, but I'm confident of being able to resume training soon," Chakravarthy was quoted as saying to ESPNCricinfo.

The 29-year-old reckons that distracting one’s mind after being infected from COVID-19 is a mighty big challenge since you are all by your own, away from family and team-mates. "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 teammates. To keep myself occupied, I read books by Osho to give me a sense of calm," he added.

Recalling how he realised he had caught the virus, the Tamil Nadu player said, "I felt something was slightly off on 1 May. I felt tired. There was no cough whatsoever, but I had little fever, so I didn't attend our training session. 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 team-mates, in a separate wing of the hotel. Soon, I found out that I'd tested positive."

Known to spin a web around batsmen with his subtle variations, Chakravarthy said that the dozen days spent in isolation were rather monotonous in nature.

"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. I'd wake up late, around 9 am, have a light breakfast, then begin my web shows and movies marathon on Netflix and Amazon Prime. In between, I'd catch up with cousins and friends over video calls. After lunch, I'd take my medicines and speak to my family. Thankfully, they handled the situation calmly." Chakravarthy pointed out.