Defending champions Chennai Super Kings will miss the services of Moeen Ali for their IPL-opener as the star England all-rounder is yet to receive his India visa for competing in the lucrative T20 tournament, beginning in Mumbai on Saturday.
Confirming the latest development, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan confirmed the development, "It is almost certain that Moeen Ali will miss the first game. He has still not got the visa. We are on it as well as BCCI. Hope it is sorted in a day or two," Viswanathan told PTI.
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"It is disappointing that he has not been able to join us. They follow set procedures for players of Pakistan descent. That looks like the reason (for the delay)."
His grandfather migrated to England from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir but Moeen is born in England and is a frequent visitor to India. CSK, the four-time IPL champions, will take on last edition's runner-up side Kolkata Knight Riders in the opening match of this year's IPL at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Saturday.
Viswanathan said even if he manages to reach India by Thursday, Ali will be unavailable for the opener because of the quarantine protocol laid down by the IPL organizers.
"There is a three-day mandatory quarantine which Moeen has to undergo before joining the IPL bio-bubble. So he will be out of the first game even if he gets his visa today or tomorrow."
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Moeen was retained by CSK because of his fine all-around show which helped the team lift its fourth IPL title. Moeen scored 357 runs from 15 innings for CSK in the IPL last year, while also taking six wickets from 15 games with his off-spin bowling.
CSK also retained their inspirational captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ruturaj Gaikwad.
Besides Moeen, CSK will also miss their star pacer Deepak Chahar, who has been ruled out of the first half of the IPL due to a right quadriceps injury that he sustained during the third and final T20 match against the West Indies in Kolkata last month.
Asked about Chahar's progress, Viswanathan said: "He will remain in the NCA until he gets fitness clearance from the BCCI."
