CSK all-rounder Moeen Ali is yet to join the camp as he is awaiting visa clearance by the Indian High Commission in the United Kingdom. If the delay continues, the 34-year-old could miss the 2022 Indian Prermier League opener against Kolkata Knight Riders on March 26.
Moeen had applied for the Visa on February 28 but still hasn’t received the clearance documents. The Super Kings have been having a training camp in Surat for the last month and will kick off their campaign at Wankhede in a week’s time.
“He had applied for his visa on February 28. It has been more than 20 days since the application was submitted. He has been a frequent traveller to India and yet he has not got the travel papers. We are hoping he will join the team soon,”
“He has told us that he will take the very next flight after getting the papers. Even the BCCI has got itself involved to help us. We are hoping that he will get the papers by Monday.”
said Kasi Viswanathan, the CEO of CSK on March 19.
Ali was retained by CSK for the IPL 2022 for INR 8 Cr. He had played a crucial role in their title-clinching season last year, scoring 357 runs at an average of 25.5 and strike rate of 137.3. The off-spinning all-rounder had also picked six wickets in the season while conceding runs at only 6.36 rpo. Moeen will once again be a key player for CSK as they look to defend their title.
Similarly to Moeen, a member of the Gujarat Titans support staff has been stuck in the UK. The franchise recently added Abdul Naim of UK and Mithun Manhas of Delhi to their coaching staff.
Naim is yet to join the team as he is awaiting travel clearance in the UK. Naim was previously associated with Sunrisers Hyderabad, while Manhas has worked for Punjab Kings in the past.
