Chennai Super Kings looks in trouble ahead of the IPL 2022. The defending champion will play their tournament opener against Kolkata Knight Riders on 26th March. And, their star all-rounder Moeen Ali will not be available for the opening game due to a delay in visa formalities.
Moeen Ali’s exceptional run with the bat and ball in IPL 2021 helped CSK in lifting their 4th title. But, an unwanted delay in visa issuing is preventing him from landing in India for the cash-rich league. Moeen Ali was one of the four players retained by Chennai Super Kings for IPL 2022.
Moeen Ali set to miss IPL 2022 opener between CSK and KKR
He has been retained at a whopping fee of INR 8 Crores. It was one crore more than the price on which he was bought by Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2021 auction. But, his unavailability will leave a big gap on the side.
Recently, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan said that the team was expecting Moeen Ali to join by Monday. But, a delay in the visa issue has left him stranded in the UK. As per him, Ali will have to enter the bubble by Wednesday in order to complete the mandatory quarantine, otherwise, he will miss the opening CSK game against KKR.
“We were expecting Moeen to join us by Monday but because of the delay in issuing a visa, it is not clear when he will leave for Mumbai. He submitted the visa application on February 28, but because of the verification process, there has been a delay. Unless he enters the bubble by Wednesday noon, it won’t be possible for him to play against Kolkata,” CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan told The New Indian Express.
Moeen Ali has played 34 games and slammed 666 runs playing for different franchises. Also, he has contributed with the ball and took 16 wickets in his overall IPL career.
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