IPL 2022 | No Moeen Ali in CSK's season opener

Since there is no change in the visa status of Moeen Ali, he is certain to miss the first game for Chennai Super Kings. The England all-rounder was hoping to join the franchise in Mumbai but remains stuck at home in Birmingham due to the visa status. Reportedly, he applied for the Indian travel documents four weeks ago, but the visa is yet to be approved by the Indian High Commission in London.

"It's terrible but we can't do anything. Moeen has played in India a good few times so I don't see why (has not been granted the visa yet). We are hoping he will get the visa soon," Moeen's father Munir Ali told Cricbuzz on Wednesday. 

The foreigners must observe a three-day mandatory quarantine, and with the Indian Premier League starting on March 26, Moeen's participation in the inaugural match of Chennai Super League looks doubtful. 

CSK will take on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the first match of the season on Saturday. Meanwhile, a query to the Indian High Commission in London remains unanswered. Gujarat Titans' coaching staff member Abdul Naim is also from London, and his visa papers are yet to be cleared as well.

"He is certainly ruled out for the first game," said Kasi Viswanathan, the CEO of the franchise. Viswanath added, "We were confident he would get the papers on Monday (March 21). Even if he gets today (Wednesday, March 23), he can reach only tomorrow (March 24) and go into quarantine. He will miss the first game but we are hoping he gets the visa soon enough. We have spoken to Jay Shah (the Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary) and other IPL officials. They are doing their best too, to help us."