Lack of visa clearance delays Moeen Ali’s arrival in India; CSK management concerned

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) ownership group and management team are concerned over the prolonged absence of England allrounder Moeen Ali, who is yet to join the squad ahead of IPL 2022, starting March 26.

Moeen hasn’t reached India even as the clock ticks towards the first game of the tournament in Mumbai due to an awaited clearance of his travelling documents and get his visa issued by the Indian High Commission in the UK.

The CSK think-tank is now getting concerned about the cricketer’s late arrival at their team camp in Surat despite filing his visa application nearly a month back. CSK had retained Moeen Ali for a sum of INR 8 crores ahead of the mega auction for IPL 2022.

WATCH: Fans Chant ‘CSK CSK’; Moeen Ali Gives A Thumbs Up

Moeen Ali is an integral part of CSK’s plans for IPL 2022.

CSK worried as Moeen Ali stays put in UK ahead of IPL 2022

CSK’s chief executive Kasi Viswanathan informed Cricbuzz that the matter has reached worrying proportion for the franchise as the delay in visa clearance has come to light despite Moeen Ali being a frequent traveller to Indian shores.

Viswanathan added that the BCCI has got involved in the issue and they are hoping for Moeen’s clearance by Monday (March 21). The cricketer has told the franchise he will be taking the first flight to Mumbai after his documents are approved.

“He had applied for his visa on February 28,” Viswanathan said. “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,” he added.

Watch: When Moeen Ali bowled seam up in County Championship & took a wicket

Defending champions CSK have been in the middle of a camp for a month now in Surat, hoping to get attuned with the thick of things in time for the IPL 2022.

They will play their first match on the opening day itself against their last year’s finale rivals Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.