Moeen to miss CSK's opening game; no change in visa status

There is no adjustment of the visa status of Moeen Ali, as the England all-rounder wanting to join the Chennai Super Kings group of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in Mumbai, keeps on being stuck at home in Birmingham. Having applied for the Indian travel records just about four weeks prior, Ali (34), has not had his visa supported by the Indian High Commission in London yet.

"It's horrible however we can do nothing. Moeen has played in India a decent couple of times so i'm not sure why (has not been conceded the visa yet). We are trusting he will get the visa soon," Moeen's dad Munir Ali told Cricket on Wednesday (March 23). Cricket announced about the deferral in arrival of movement reports for Moeen on March 19.

With the IPL beginning on March 26 and considering that the novices require three-day quarantine, Moeen's investment in the primary counterpart for CSK looks incredibly dubious. CSK, the reigning champs, play Kolkata Knight Riders in the debut game on Saturday.

"He is absolutely precluded for the principal game," said Kasi Viswanathan, the CEO of the establishment. "We were sure he would get the papers on Monday (March 21). Regardless of whether he gets today (Wednesday, March 23), he can arrive at just tomorrow (March 24) and go into isolation. He will miss the main game yet we are trusting he gets the visa soon enough. We have addressed Jay Shah (the Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary) and other IPL authorities. They are doing their best as well, to help us."

Moeen was held by the establishment for INR 8 crore. An inquiry to Indian High Commission in London stayed unanswered till the hour of going to print.

In the mean time, Gujarat Titans' instructing staff part Abdul Naim, who is additionally from London, has not had his visa papers cleared.