IPL 2022 Updates: Moeen Ali to miss Chennai Super Kings first match, Suryakumar may miss MI season opener

Add as a preferred source on Google

New Delhi, March 23: Defending champions Chennai Super Kings may miss the services of Moeen Ali for the IPL 2022 opener as the star England all-rounder is yet to receive his India visa for the 15th edition of the T20 tournament beginning in Mumbai on Saturday (March 26).

The CSK, four-time IPL champions, will take on last edition's runner-up side Kolkata Knight Riders in the opening match of the this year's IPL at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Saturday.

“It is learned that Moeen would need to arrive in Mumbai by Wednesday (March 23) to stand a chance of playing his team's first match against 2021 runners-up Knight Riders," a report in 'ESPNcricinfo' stated.

"Considering that Moeen would need to undergo the mandatory three-day quarantine to enter the IPL bio-secure environment, Super Kings' management has accepted that the chances of him playing the opening match appear remote," the report added.

The report further states that if Moeen fails to arrive on time, New Zealand batter Devon Conway is likely to make his IPL debut.

"The Super Kings will likely feel the pinch in their first match, considering Moeen's off spin would have been handy against Knight Riders' trio of left-handers: Venkatesh Iyer, Nitish Rana and Sunil Narine," it read.

Because of his fine all-round show which helped the team lift its fourth IPL title, Moeen was retained by CSK along side inspirational captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja and Ruturaj Gaikwad.

Moeen scored 357 runs from 15 innings for CSK in the IPL last year, while also accounting for six wickets from 15 games with his off-spin bowling.

SKY may miss MI match

Suryakumar Yadav may miss Mumbai Indians’ season opener against Delhi Capitals on Sunday (March 27) as he is yet to be released by the NCA where his rehabilitation from a hairline fracture on thumb is currently underway.

It is not clear yet that when will Surya will be released and be available for the IPL 2022.