CSK To Miss Moeen Ali For IPL Opener Due To Visa Issues

Mumbai: Defending champions Chennai Super Kings will miss their IPL opener, Moeen Ali, as the star England all-rounder is yet to get an India visa to participate in the lucrative T20 tournament beginning in Mumbai on Saturday.

CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan confirmed the development

“It is almost certain that Moeen Ali will be ruled out of the first game. He still hasn’t got the visa. We are on it and BCCI as well. Hopefully, it will be sorted out in a day or two,” Viswanathan said.

“It is disappointing that he could not join us. They follow the procedures laid down for players of Pakistan origin. This appears to be the reason (for the delay).”

His grandfather moved to England from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir but Moin was born in England and visits India frequently.

Four-time IPL champions CSK will take on last edition’s runners-up Kolkata Knight Riders in the opening match of the year’s IPL at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Saturday.

Viswanathan said that even if he manages to reach India by Thursday, Ali will not be available for the opener due to the quarantine protocol set by the IPL organisers.

Before joining the bio bubble of IPL, Moin will have to undergo a mandatory three-day quarantine. So he will be out of the first game even if he gets the visa today or tomorrow.

While his scintillating all-round performance helped the team win their fourth IPL title, Moeen was retained by CSK along with inspiring captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja and Ruturaj Gaikwad.

Moeen scored 357 runs in 15 innings for CSK in the IPL last year, while also taking six wickets in 15 matches with his off-spin bowling.

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