The Chennai Super Kings have started their preparations ahead of the 15th edition. Still, one of the critical members of the side, Moeen Ali, hasn’t been able to join the squad as the clearance of his travel documents by the Indian high commission in the UK is awaited.
As IPL is just some days away, the absence of an integral team member has put CSK in a spot of bother. The CEO of CSK, Mr Kasi Viswanathan, expressed dissatisfaction with Moeen not getting the required clearance despite applying for it on February 28.
However, the CEO is hopeful that the English all-rounder will get his documents as early as the 21st of this month and therefore, will be able to arrive in time as the BCCI is also involved in resolving the issue.
“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 hasn’t got the travel papers”, said Viswanathan.
“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”, he further added.
Moeen has played an excellent role for CSK since getting picked by the four-time champions. The dynamic southpaw has been given the part clarity by the management and has managed to resolve CSK’s issue of not having a proper spin hitter appropriately.
He provides the team's much-needed balance, and his impressive returns compelled CSK to retain him alongside MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja and Ruturaj Gaikwad ahead of the IPL mega auction 2022. Therefore, CSK would like to have him back as soon as possible as he is a core player of the team.
Likewise, a coaching staff of the Gujarat Titans has also been unable to join the concerned team in time as he is stuck in the UK.
Abdul Naim, a newly recruited coaching staff of the Titans, who has the experience of working for SRH in the past, has also been waiting for his travel clearance in the UK. A Titans official responded to this issue, “We are sure the issue will get resolved soon”.
CSK are scheduled to play the inaugural match of the IPL 2022 on March 26, whereas the Titans will kick-start their campaign by facing off the Lucknow Super Giants on March 28.