Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) spinner Varun Chakravarthy said the team’s co-owner Shahrukh Khan spoke to all the players personally following the COVID-19 cases in the camp. “Shah Rukh Khan spoke to all the players individually and motivated us,” said the 29-year-old spinner.

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“The KKR franchise was very supportive. They went to the extent of even having someone from the team management stay back with me, even after the IPL was postponed and left only after I returned two negative tests and got back home,” he added.

Chakravarthy — who was the first player in IPL to test COVID-19 positive — is still not fit for intense training after his recovery as he is still feeling “weakness and dizziness”.

The cricket tournament was suspended because of multiple cases inside the bio-bubble across franchises.

The 29-year-old Chakravarthy recovered on May 11 and is currently recuperating at his Chennai residence.

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“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 told ESPNCricinfo in a recent interview.

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

Having experienced the effect of the dreaded virus first hand, Chakravarthy’s advice to all athletes is to give their bodies at least two weeks of complete rest after recovery before resuming any training.

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“Also, even after people test negative, my advice is for them to continue to mask up so that you keep others around you safe,” he added.

With India facing an unprecedented health crisis after the second wave of the pandemic hit the country and thousands lost their lives, it’s a mental battle for anybody who tested positive for COVID-19.

The OTT (over-the-top) platforms like Netflix and Amazon kept him busy during isolation as his family handled the situation “calmly and without panic.”

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Chakravarthy didn’t forget to mention how grateful he felt, considering that so many families are facing tragedies of epic proportions.

“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 gets back to their families,” the spinner added.